SWSG Guidance Package Index Ref: G1

March 1998

Chief Executives: Scottish Local Authorities

Copy to: Directors of Social Work/Chief Social Work Officers

Holders of SWSG/SWSI Circulars and Guidance Package

Dear Sir/Madam

COMMUNITY SERVICE BY OFFENDERS: PUBLIC AWARENESS, ENVIRONMENTAL WORK AND HOURS - SWSG CIRCULAR 12/96/SWSI REPORT "A POSITIVE PENALTY"

Summary

1. This circular notifies changes in the arrangements relating to the public awareness measures for Community Service schemes introduced as part of SWSG circular 12/96 in April 1996, which were reviewed following the SWSI report on Community Service placements "A Positive Penalty".

Background

2. SWSG circular 12/96 instructed local authorities to introduce a range of measures to enhance and publicise the work of Community Service schemes. These measures included, placing greater emphasis on environmental improvement work, the use of local media publicity to promote CS projects and the identification of projects by means of signs and markings on protective clothing and vehicles. By the end of 1996 all authorities had confirmed compliance with these measures. Subsequently, the SWSI report on the inspection of Community Service placements in Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Falkirk, "A Positive Penalty", published in July 1997, recommended that the requirements for publicising CS projects be reviewed, as some measures appeared to have had unintended negative effects.

3. As a result of this recommendation SWSG, in consultation with local authorities, undertook a review of publicity measures in the autumn of 1997. The review concluded that the promotion of the work of Community Service schemes by the use of local media coverage was of positive benefit and should continue. Plaques identifying CS projects had also been of use and should continue to be used where seen as appropriate. The use of marked protective clothing and marked vehicles, was, however, not seen as a positive way of publicising community service. It was recommended that these measures should be discontinued. The recommendations of this review were accepted by Ministers and decisions announced by the Minister of State Mr Henry McLeish MP in December 1997.

Conclusion

4. Authorities should ensure that the following amended guidance is made known to all relevant staff:

4.1 Local media publicity - Local authorities should continue to promote actively the work of community service schemes, through local media .

4.2 Plaques and Signs - Where considered appropriate, local authorities should make use of plaques and signs to identify projects undertaken by community service schemes.

4.3 Marked Protective Clothing and Vehicles - There is no longer a requirement to use community service scheme markings on protective clothing or vehicles. This practice should now be discontinued.

Contact Point

5. Enquires about any aspect of this circular may be addressed to Mr A Cockburn Social Work Services Group, Room 13, James Craig Walk, Edinburgh; telephone 0131 244 5435.

Yours faithfully

MRS V M MACNIVEN