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Preventing Suicide and Deliberate Self Harm
Laying the Foundations: Identifying Practice Examples
Project Report
6. SACRO Criminal Justice Services, Edinburgh
Target Group
SACRO provides a number of supported accommodation services in the Edinburgh area for ex-offenders: shared flats; single flats; and, a seven-bed hostel for young people. Services are for both men and women, although provision for women is a recent development.
The organisation works with a range of ex-offenders. For example, they are contracted by City of Edinburgh Council to work with people who are not under a statutory order - within a year of a person's release (they are very vulnerable at this stage), as well as with people who have been out of prison for over a year.
Issues
Work is undertaken around issues such as anger, aggression, alcohol, drugs, physical and mental health. Women often have different issues to deal with. Many female ex-offenders experience depression and some also self-harm. Some female ex-offenders will have been abused, and may be experiencing additional difficulties such as having children in care.
Services/approach
SACRO undertakes behavioural programmes in groups and with individuals on subjects such as anger management - helping people cope with things in different ways. They also work with issues around domestic violence, as well as work on addictions such as looking at alcohol linked to offences.
In the supported accommodation service, they see people go through highs and lows on a regular basis, and will see people at different stages of distress. Suicide is an issue that affects SACRO in that some clients have committed suicide. If someone is very distressed, they might help them by, for example, moving them into a more stable flat with supportive, stable flatmates. The project would also refer the client on to mental health services.
If someone living in the young offender hostel is recognised as vulnerable in terms of possible suicide attempt or self-harm, then the hostel staff will undertake spot checks and maintain a close watch on the person. They would discuss the situation at a team meeting and agree how often to check on a person. They would also refer people on to specialised services. Many of the young people in the hostel will already be in touch with other services. About 80% of them will have been in care, and will already have contact with services because of this.
A lot of work is undertaken on training and employment. This is particularly the case for young people at the hostel. In terms of their mental health it is important that they have structure to their day, and things to do with their time. SACRO will help people link in with training organisations, and with getting into college. They also help people get accommodation and welfare benefits.
For sex offenders it can be very difficult getting work, as they have to disclose information about their criminal record. And it can be difficult getting them to develop their self-esteem. Many training facilities are out of bounds as, for example, premises may be near a children's nursery.
At SACRO, staff try to use a holistic approach - try to look through everything with a person, rather than focus on just one issue. If someone also has a statutory worker working with them, then SACRO will work closely with this person.
Some of the people who use SACRO services have depression. SACRO will help the person with this in one-to-one work, and will also refer the person to psychiatric services. Some clients also have diagnosed mental illness such as schizophrenia and personality disorders. A large element of the work is around self-esteem, as it is very important to help people feel good about themselves. Some of the women who use SACRO self-harm, and a lot of work is undertaken with women around self-esteem. The young men are often into offending for a laugh - it is what their friends do, whereas the needs of the women who use the project tend to be different.
Often the work that SACRO does with people takes a long time to show results, but it usually does make a difference, even if the impact isn't immediately obvious. The more basic work such as helping people get accommodation is relatively easy compared to helping people stabilise within the accommodation and to start to take care of themselves.
Key features
Working holistically with an individual
Helping people become settled and stabilised
Working with people to build skills and self-esteem
For further information, contact:
Dorothy Fraser, Service Manager
SACRO
Criminal Justice Services
Epworth Halls
25 Nicholson Square
Edinburgh, EH8 9BX
Tel 0131 622 7500
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