Justice Social Work Services: national throughcare guidance

4. Key Processes

Integrated Case Management (ICM)

4.1 While a person is in custody, SPS are the lead agency responsible for managing risk and supporting progression through their sentence. SPS use the ICM Framework to conduct comprehensive assessments of a person’s risks and needs to support a person throughout their sentence. This should be done with the support of both PBSW and CBSW to assess risk and need to develop management plans.

4.2 ICM is a multi-agency risk management approach focused on reducing re-offending by ensuring, where possible, risks are identified, and a plan is in place for each person to manage or reduce those risks in a sequenced and co-ordinated manner.

4.3 The ICM process is informed by a comprehensive assessment of risk and needs and utilises a Case Conference model for action planning. This approach brings together the person, key internal and external staff and, where appropriate, the person’s family, to plan for and monitor their progress through custody.

4.4 The Targeted Approach for Integrated Case Management framework is a specific approach that complements the ICM procedures through a more intensive and co-ordinated set of interventions and supervision measures. The targeted ICM is based on the principle that a focus on those who are assessed with the highest level of risk and needs will have the greatest impact on reducing re-offending.

4.5 All staff working within throughcare processes should familiarise themselves with the SPS guidance on ICM and Targeted ICM which contains comprehensive information including attendees and scheduling of the conferences. In all cases the initial case conference is held no later than 6 months from the date of sentence.

4.6 In the circumstance where either PBSW, or CBSW, became aware of a situation which could impact the person in custody, either positively or negatively, they should request that an ICM case conference is called to address the issues identified.

4.7 The Case Conference examines the person’s assessed risk of reoffending which should include a consideration of the nature, seriousness and likelihood of future offending. The Case Conference will decide on appropriate interventions which are aimed at reducing those risks both before and after release. This approach keeps the person at the centre of the ICM process, maintains a focus on issues which are external to the prison as well as internal, and ensures the sharing of relevant information across agencies to support effective assessment and management of risk.

4.8 The table below provides a summary of social work activities for ICM meeting. See section 5 for further details on the role of social work within the ICM process.

Table 1: Role of PBSW and CBSW in the Integrated Case Management process.

Activity: Check with the person whether they wish to invite family members

Prison Based Social Worker: Yes

Community Based Social Worker: No

Activity: Liaise and discuss with prison staff whether it is appropriate to invite the family requested

Prison Based Social Worker: Yes

Community Based Social Worker: Yes

Activity: Notify ICM Case Co-ordinator of additional invites to be sent

Prison Based Social Worker: Yes

Community Based Social Worker: Yes

Activity: Prepare for the conference

Prison Based Social Worker: Yes

Community Based Social Worker: Yes

Activity: Notify Chair if they have any concerns / disagreements with the outcomes recorded

Prison Based Social Worker: Yes

Community Based Social Worker: Yes

Activity: If community staff are unable to attend, record this along with the reason on PR2

Prison Based Social Worker: Yes

Community Based Social Worker: No

Risk Management Team (RMT)

4.9 For more detailed information regarding the purpose, roles and responsibilities of the RMT please see SPS Risk Management, Progression and Temporary Release Guidance.

4.10 The RMT is an integral part of the ICM Process and operates within all custodial establishments. The RMT is multi-disciplinary and includes professionals involved in the management of offenders including SPS, Social Work and Health (Psychology).

4.11 Within the RMT process, the chair explores the person’s progress in custody and any risks they pose if they were to have community access. For persons where there is still considerable concern about returning to the community, escorted access close to the custodial establishment may be an initial step towards eventual release. While many persons may benefit from access to the community it is important to go at their pace and give due consideration to their vulnerabilities as well as potential risks to others.

4.12 PBSW and CBSW attend RMT meetings. CBSW will ensure that appropriate community partners are also invited, including Police, Housing etc. The attendee must have the appropriate level of seniority to make decisions regarding the use of resources.

First Grant of Temporary Release (FGTR)

4.13 FGTR relates to persons serving a life sentence. Under Rule 134 (4) of the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011 (Prison Rules), a person serving a life sentence is disqualified from obtaining temporary release (community access) unless the Governor has obtained prior consent of Scottish Ministers for:

a) the life sentence person’s FGTR; and

b) any further grant of temporary release where the person has been assigned a supervision level other than low supervision level following the consent of Scottish Ministers having been obtained under sub-paragraph (a).

Before anyone serving a life sentence can be considered for any type of temporary release, approval must be obtained for the first time. For more details, please refer to SPS Risk Management, Progression and Temporary Release Guidance.