It’s a time of great change for Criminal Justice. The redesign consultation has chosen the 32 Local Authority configuration model. We want to discuss practitioners’ offer to help inform that consultation and ensure sound professional practice and effective work at the interface between the organisations, their partners and the service users. SASW can enable and empower this process. We will explore how practitioners can help inform and support links with SPS in the new Community Justice Structure, and discuss topical issues in criminal justice social work. Contributed by: SASW

1. THE METAMORPHOSIS OF
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SOCIAL
WORK
Retaining Professionalism
when all else is transient
.

2. Story So Far
• CJS Redesign;32 L.A. model
• Integration Agenda
• SPS SW SLA review
• Centralised proceduralism
• Critical Resource Shortages
• More cuts after referendum

3. Forum engagement;
• Consultation on redesign, engagement
with establishment
• Consultation on E.M. (resources)
• Child impact statements ( Children’s
Bill)
• Home visits and CJSWR Guidance
• Proceduralism/bureaucracy; and
practice displacement
• Professional CPD

4. Tomorrow and beyond
• Disparate models for planning and
cooperating in LA CJS’s
• Integration Agenda
• Potential significant change to prison
SW
• Managing resource crisis after
referendum
• Reducing proceduralism & increasing
Professional SW casework/practice

5. Maintaining Professionalism
• Growing “vocationalism” (190k)
• CPD on professional practice (not admin!)
• Communicate/engage with wider
profession
• Use opportunities to inform and
improve policy
• Support issue-raising with solution
promotion

6. Maintaining Professionalism
• Need for a Qualified SW voice
distinct from, but alongside “social
care sector” voice.
• Use that voice to advocate SW
solutions and help integrate them.
• Keeping the SW in CJSW; Time;
Theory; individualised casework
interventions.
• Share….

7. What would restore or increase your
own professionalism in CJSW?
• What limits it, and what would free
it?
• How is your professionalism
perceived in your organisation, and
how would you improve that?
• What would you need SASW or
others to do at policy level?
• What does your professional
confidence need?