National Care Service: Justice Social Work research

This report summarises research undertaken by IPSOS Scotland and Prof. Beth Weaver in 2023. It explores the views of Justice Social Work staff, partners and people experiencing the justice system about its strengths and weaknesses, and asks their views on potential inclusion within a future National Care Service (NCS).


Footnotes

1. See letter from Maree Todd to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament, 12 July 2023

2. See Harrison, S (2022) SPICe Briefing: Social Work in Scotland and Scottish Government (2022) Justice Social Work in Scotland

3. See Health and Social Care Scotland

4. See National Care Service (Scotland) Bill

5. See responses to the initial consultation, held in 2021, at A National Care Service for Scotland: consultation

6. The Scottish Sentencing Council’s 2021 paper on Judicial perspectives of community-based disposals provides some recent insights into judicial views on JSW and how this impacts on their decision-making around community disposals. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government’s 2022 interim report on Decision-making on bail and remand touches on how perceptions of JSW resources impact on judicial decision-making around bail options.

7. See letter from Maree Todd to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament, 12 July 2023

8. Social Work Scotland: Pre-budget scrutiny report 2023-24

9. Justice Social Work in Scotland

10. Scottish Social Service Sector Report on 2022 Workforce data

11. Miller, E and Barrie, K (2022) Setting the bar for Social Work in Scotland, Social Work Scotland, p.i (Executive summary)

12. Miller, E and Barrie, K (2022) Setting the bar for Social Work in Scotland, Social Work Scotland

13. Working conditions and wellbeing of social workers: summary of surveys 2020-22

14. The Scottish Government’s (2022) Vision for Justice in Scotland identifies a range of ‘changes and challenges’ both within and beyond JSW. In particular, and in reference to Criminal Proceedings statistical data in Scotland, it is noted that the proportion of community sentences imposed as a main penalty for all convictions is the highest it has been for the last ten years.

15. Miller, E and Barrie, K (2022) Setting the bar for Social Work in Scotland, Social Work Scotland

16. This was a distinct point from the overall JSW budget being ringfenced, which received strong support across participants.

17. Scottish Government (2022) National Strategy for Community Justice

18. Care Inspectorate (2021) Justice overview report 2018-2021

19. See for example Grant S., Buchan, J., and O’Donnell, A (2020) Probation in Europe: Scotland. Confederation of European Probation.

20. See MAPPA: national guidance (March 2022)

21. ; Aberdeen; Aberdeenshire; Argyll & Bute; East Ayrshire; East Dunbartonshire; East Lothian; East Renfrewshire; Glasgow; Inverclyde; Midlothian; Moray; North Ayrshire; Orkney; Shetland; South Ayrshire; Western Isles (Eilean Siar); West Dunbartonshire; West Lothian. Source: Health and Social Care Scotland

22. See Community Justice Scotland Strategic Commissioning Framework

23. Care Inspectorate (2021) Justice overview report 2018-2021. Care Inspectorate.

24. See National Care Service: consultation analysis (2022)

25. See letter from Maree Todd to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament, 12 July 2023

Contact

Email: NCSJustice@gov.scot

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