Court Based Social Work Services
Court Based Social Work Services
The main part of our work within the Court setting involves:
- providing information for Sentencers including same day oral/written reports for Court;
- interviewing individuals immediately after the court has asked for a report and completing the medical mandate where significant medical issues have been highlighted (and as time permits - this activity may need to be prioritised);
- interviewing individuals/accused persons immediately after the court has passed a custodial sentence or remand;
- forwarding relevant information to the receiving prison in the event of a custodial sentence including details on persons who may pose a risk of harm to themselves and/or others;
- representing the local authority Criminal Justice Social Work Service in the Court setting, including where appropriate Court users' groups and liaising with other professional groups; and
- helping to divert persons suffering from a mental disorder who may be at a risk to themselves from a custodial remand, to either hospital (in conjunction with local medical, forensic and psychiatric services) or appropriate bail accommodation, where available, for assessment.