Justice Social Work Services: national throughcare guidance

1. Introduction

1.1 The term “throughcare” relates to the provision of a range of social work and associated services provided to people who are in prison and to their families/named support, from the point of sentence, during the period in custody and following release. It comprises of two fundamentally connected elements: services provided during the custodial sentence; and those provided on release back into the community.

1.2 This operational guidance is intended to support Justice Social Work (JSW) practitioners: Prison-Based Social Work (PBSW) and Community-Based Social Work (CBSW) to fulfil their roles and provide clarity on responsibilities for throughcare service provisions. This guidance focuses on best practice for throughcare support which includes: assessing and managing risk and need; supporting people through their custodial sentences; and supporting people to reintegrate back into their community. Where applicable reference will also be provided regarding expected minimum practice standards.

1.3 This guidance will be updated going forward to take account of any future changes in legislation or practice. Therefore, JSW staff should refer to the Scottish Government Justice Social Work Guidance pages to ensure adherence to the most up to date version of this guidance.

1.4 The stakeholders involved with the development of this document were: JSW managers (both CBSW and PBSW); Social Work Scotland (SWS); Community Justice Scotland (CJS); Risk Management Authority (RMA); Scottish Prison Service (SPS); Parole Board for Scotland (PBS); and the Care Inspectorate. Victims’ groups and third sector justice agencies were also consulted.

1.5 This guidance provides a framework for JSW to work in a trauma-informed and person-centred manner to assist people leaving prison and manage their assessed risk. All justice services, including third sector partners and the legal profession, should embed trauma-informed approaches into their practice. This ensures justice services recognise the prevalence of trauma and adversity, realise where people are affected by trauma, responding in ways that reduce re-traumatisation.

1.6 Risk assessment and risk management practice must be in accordance with the principles and standards specified in the Framework for Risk Assessment, Management and Evaluation (FRAME) throughout the guidance. In undertaking their duties in relation to risk assessment, practitioners will have completed relevant training in appropriate risk assessment tools.

1.7 As with all forms of social work, throughcare practice is underpinned by social work values and ethics, as set out by the Scottish Social Services Council. Social work is a value driven profession that is centrally focussed on the principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversity. Furthermore, social work engages people and structures to tackle life challenges and enhance wellbeing. While JSW will always need to consider risk and public protection, they also must ensure social work values are at the heart of the work that is carried out alongside the person’s human rights.

1.8 This guidance promotes an inclusive vision of how social workers engage with people who have been impacted by the justice system. This includes the assistance offered to families to maintain positive relationships while someone is in custody, where this is appropriate.