Justice Social Work: national practice standards and outcomes

1. Background

The previous version of the National Outcomes and Standards for justice social work (JSW) was published in 2010 when Community Payback Orders were about to be introduced. Leadership and governance of services at that time was provided through a partnership between local authorities and eight Community Justice Authorities. Whilst some elements of these outcomes and standards remained relevant, it was recognised that there was need for an updated document reflective of changes in policy and legislation.

The passing of the Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 created a new landscape for the delivery of services for those within and impacted by the justice system. The Act places statutory duties on community justice partners of which local authorities are one. There is a National Strategy for Community Justice and a Community Justice Performance Framework with national determined outcomes. As provider, of statutory services for those in the justice system, JSW contribute to these on behalf of their local authority.

This updated document is therefore intended to sit alongside the Community Justice strategy and outcomes documents. It is an over-arching document which provides a clear framework of professional accountability that will stand up to scrutiny and provide assurance of the agreed principles of practice across JSW services. It is intended to complement JSW practice guidance; the most recent versions of which can be found on the Scottish Government website.

JSW practitioners will find this of benefit to their day-to-day practice offering a clear outline of expected practice in JSW and the intended outcomes from interventions. Partner agencies, those within and impacted by the justice system and key stakeholders can also use the document as a point of reference of agreed practice standards across JSW.

This document has been created in collaboration with a reference group consisting of justice social work managers, Sheriffs and other key stakeholders, including; Community Justice Scotland, Social Work Scotland, Care Inspectorate, Risk Management Authority, Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice and Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector Forum.

There has also been consultation with groups representing victims of crime and a group of people with lived experience of the justice system to ensure these Practice Standards reflect expectations from those working within JSW, receiving a service or impacted by the justice system. The contribution from those who have given their time to consider the content and offer their views has been invaluable.