Community Payback Order: Unpaid Work

Interventions suitable for

Clients are assessed by a Criminal Justice Social Work Report to consider their suitability for unpaid work and specify appropriate interventions that could be considered as part of ‘Other Activity’. In circumstances where a Criminal Justice Social Work Report was not requested by the Court, an assessment is undertaken post-sentence during the induction period by a responsible person.

Programme title and provider

Unpaid Work & ‘Other’ Activity Requirement
Case held, monitored, and reviewed by qualified responsible officer within Justice Services (either a Social Worker or Community Justice Assistant (CJA), depending on the clients level of risk).

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Angus have a specific Unpaid Work team with dedicated Supervisors overseeing the work of clients. Clients undertake work across Angus as part of a team or through individual placements.
Unpaid Work allow clients to understand the value of team work and gain experience and skills in several areas through the community projects they are involved with across Angus, i.e. youth clubs, community halls and hubs, football clubs, schools, playparks, work at local churches, community  gardening/maintenance, painting local buildings, Graffiti removal, refurbishing of public park benches and premises, landscaping, creation of the Flower Meadows and recycling of unwanted bicycles in partnership with Angus Cycle Hub, along with local charity shop placements.
The ‘Other activity’ element of Unpaid Work provides clients with early intervention work to address any identified needs around issues such as relationships, substance misuse, anger management, employability, bereavement, and educational or social support via programmes such as Alcohol Awareness, Anger Awareness, Problem Solving, Consequential Thinking, Coping Strategies and Parenting Skills facilitated jointly by Justice and Children’s Services workers. The programme helps clients gain a better understanding of their behaviour and the impact their actions have had on their victims and the community.
Angus also have the Glen Isla Project (specific for women) who engage with local communities and projects through various initiatives; music class, DIY, dressmaking and ‘bonding squares’ for parents of new-born babies in Special Care Baby Units. These activities increase the women’s mental and physical wellbeing, equip them with new skills and raise their confidence and self-esteem.
Most referrals are received directly from members of the public, a strong indicator that the community and services understand the value of Unpaid Work.
Criminal justice social work reports and court-based services practice guidance

Possible Outcomes

The main aims of Unpaid Work and ‘Other Activity’ as part of a Community Payback Order are:

• To provide courts with a community-based penalty which has the potential to achieve a positive outcome in respect of the individual’s likelihood of reoffending
• To ensure that courts have access at all times to a community sentence for use as a first response which requires the individual to undertake Unpaid Work for a specified number of hours in the community
• To provide a high-quality community-based intervention which balances pay back to the community with opportunities for individuals to address their offending behaviour whilst supporting them towards positive change
• To provide individuals with an opportunity to gain the skills and access the supports required to lead positive lives and stop offending.

It also enhances clients existing skills to promote employment and/or learning opportunities. Increases their motivation self-esteem, confidence and overall health & wellbeing, along with providing a visible means of paying back to the community.
Community Payback Order: practice guidance

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

A CSWR (pre-sentence assessment) is completed focusing on the pattern, nature, seriousness, likelihood and imminence of reoffending to inform the suitability of an Unpaid Work requirement, along with a LS/CMI Quickscore Risk Assessment to assess risk, needs and previous response to supervision of Unpaid Work or other Orders. An assessment of any relevant issues including general health, substance use, financial situation, home and family circumstances, literacy, medication (dispensing times conflicting with Unpaid Work start/finish times) and any travelling issues will be completed by the Supervisor on the Unpaid Work assessment form post-sentence and prior to the client being placed on a team or individual placement.
The client must also give his consent to comply with Unpaid Work at the Criminal Justice Social Work report interview stage before the programme can be recommended to the court or when formally assessed by the responsible officer at the post-sentence induction stage.
 

Glen Cova Project: Voluntary (For information only)

Interventions suitable for

This gender specific service is suitable for women aged 16 plus who may be affected or experiencing adverse poverty and/or who would benefit from early intervention support and guidance.

Programme title and provider

Glen Clova Project
Locally developed inhouse project designed to support women including expectant mothers.

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

This voluntary support is delivered using a TIA within a secure and therapeutic one-stop-shop environment that offers holistic support to the women their unborn child/children and young people.

Possible Outcomes

The aims of the project are to support the women to build confidence and self-esteem to address any inequalities and disadvantages they, their children and young people might be experiencing so they can improve their opportunities to achieve success. Support them to attend medical appointments to improve their overall wellbeing and those of their children/unborn child, so they can have the best start in life.
Provide individual and group activities that offers practical and emotional support to help keep themselves, their children and/young people safe and protected from harm. Families in Angus benefit from the products made by the women e.g., ‘bonding squares’ for parents of new-born babies in the Special Care Baby Unit, which are also donated to local charities.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

Women can make a self-referral or be referred to the project via various statutory and voluntary agencies and services. Family and friends.
Criteria for referral:

• Women who have support needs in respect to parenting, likely to result in an adverse impact on their children
• Women at risk of entering the criminal justice system
• Women who are pregnant and due to give birth or at risk of losing the care of their child

If the women do not fit the criteria but would benefit from this type of support, services can contact the project direct to discuss their secondary criteria.