| Description | Circular providing guidance to ensure that SER authors and line managers are aware of responsibilities in relation to child protection issues when dealing with substance misusing offenders. |
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| ISBN | (Web Only) |
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| Official Print Publication Date | December 2006 |
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| Website Publication Date | February 09, 2007 |
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Document also available in PDF format
Justice Department Community Justice Services Division Scottish Executive Justice Department Circular - JD 18/2006 Directors of Social Work/Chief Social Work Officers Criminal Justice Social Work Service Managers | St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG Telephone: 0131-244 «Ext» Fax: 0131-244 «Fax» «email»@scotland.gsi.gov.uk http://www.scotland.gov.uk Your ref: «Yourref» Our ref: «Ourref» 20 December 2006 |
Dear Sir/Madam
SOCIAL ENQUIRY REPORTS (SER) - DRUG MISUSING OFFENDERS - CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES: GUIDANCE FOR SOCIAL ENQUIRY REPORT AUTHORS
1. Introduction
The purpose of this circular is to provide guidance to ensure that SER authors and their line managers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to child protection issues when dealing with substance misusing offenders
2. Background
It is the responsibility of local Child Protection Committees to develop local child protection procedures and for senior child protection managers to ensure that such procedures take account of SER authors as a potential source of referral.
While the primary role of SER authors is to assess the nature of the circumstances of the offending and detail the background circumstances of an offender, child protection is always a shared responsibility. The nature of the author's task (including home visits - as detailed in paragraph 3.16 of the National Objectives and Standards for Social Enquiry Reports) will inevitably expose practitioners to much information about the lifestyle and circumstances of the offender, family composition and whether or not he or she has child care responsibilities
3. Role of Criminal Justice Service Managers/Line Managers
Managers should ensure that
- Criminal Justice Social Work practitioners have a clear understanding of their role and possess sufficient awareness of child protection issues to enable them to know what kinds of circumstances constitute grounds for concern about the safety of a child to correctly interpret what is potentially important information. Access to appropriate training should be provided where required.
- All staff are aware of the recommendations contained in the Scottish Executive's good practice guidance on working with children & families affected by drug misuse contained in "Getting Our Priorities Right".
- Clearly set out processes are in place for staff to follow to communicate information speedily and accurately to child protection colleagues.
4. Role of SER authors
Where the offender has child care responsibilities, or where children are present at any time in the same household or the offender has contact with children, staff must consider whether any of the current circumstances of the offender - including any substance misuse issues - could have an impact upon the children. If authors have any concerns about the welfare of a child, these must be discussed with children & family social workers as soon as possible.
5. Follow-up Action
Criminal Justice Service Managers should review current local arrangements, and take any remedial action required, to ensure that they meet the above requirements.
6. Contact Point
If you have any queries regarding the contents of this circular please contact Gareth Brown on 0131 244 4233 or e-mail gareth.brown@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Yours sincerely
BRIAN COLE