In these unprecedented times we find ourselves in, Community Justice Scotland will be doing our very best to maintain our work with communities across Scotland. There will be changes to how we deliver some aspects of our work, such as our training courses. We will keep you updated.
To all of our partners who continue to deliver critical services across Scotland, we would like to say thank you. Adapting to what is a rapidly changing situation whilst often going above and beyond is indicative of your professionalism, and your commitment to our communities. We will continue to support you in any way that we can.
This will be a fast moving situation for community justice. We will update this page regularly to keep you informed, so that we can continue to provide as much help and support for local areas as we can.
What is the Coronavirus?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the illness caused by a new strain of Coronavirus first identified in Wuhan city, China. It can cause a cough and/or a fever/high temperature. Latest guidance about COVID-19 from NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, including social distancing and stay at home advice can be found here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
Policy and Legislation
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 has received Royal Assent and came into force on Tuesday 7 April 2020. More information can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2020/7/contents
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf, made a statement about early release of prisoners in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 21 April 2020. The statement can be found here: https://news.gov.scot/news/short-term-prisoners-considered-for-early-release
The Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making was published on 23 April 2020. It sets out the challenges Scotland faces during COVID-19 and outlines the approach and principles that will guide the Scottish Government as it makes decisions about transitioning out of the current lockdown arrangements. Read more: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-framework-decision-making/
Learning, Development and Innovation – our training courses
In accordance with current restrictions all training events have been postponed. The Learning, Development and Innovation team at Community Justice Scotland are currently looking at how we can best support learning in the sector during this time.
In the coming weeks we’ll be making learning materials available digitally. Please use this link to post ideas and suggestions in one or more of the columns on our comment wall. You may up-vote any other post you agree with by clicking the thumbs up icon. All responses are anonymous unless you choose to include your name in the posted comment. Click the + icon to add to the column. You can attach any useful links or documents to your comment using the icons in the comment window. We look forward to hearing from you.
As part of our response to the Covid-19 outbreak we’ve released three new resource packs to support practitioners work in the following areas:
- Trauma Awareness
- National Outcomes and Standards for Criminal Justice Social Work incorporating Community Payback Orders
- GIRFEC and Child Protection
You can access the resources by joining our group on the Knowledge Hub.
If you already have an account, simply search Community Justice Scotland on the Knowledge Hub and request access to the following group: Community Justice Scotland Training Resource Packs
If you don’t have a Knowledge Hub account you can create a free account here
We’re developing more digital resources based on the needs of the sector. You can let the Learning Development and Innovation team know what we can do to help by following the link here
Self-Care Digital Pin-Board
You’ve told us that you’d like a place to share self-care tips online so we created a digital self-care pin-board. It’s a simple way to share self-care ideas with others from across the sector. All you need to do is follow the link and click the pink + icon to contribute. You’ll find the pin-board here
Caledonian Service
We have put together an ongoing series of guidance notes to help Caledonian System Managers make the difficult decisions about how to prioritise work with domestic abusers and support and safety planning work with their partners and children. This guidance was written primarily for areas that are implementing the Caledonian System, but we hope that this and future notes will be useful in other Local Authorities too. You can download the latest guidance notes below:
- Guidance note 1 issued 19 March 2020
- Guidance note 2 issued 27 March 2020
Advice in non-Caledonian areas:
- We have created guidance specifically for areas that do have access to the Caledonian. Click here to download this advice.
- Download this document for an update from the National Procurator Fiscal for Domestic Abuse in relation to domestic abuse cases during the Covid-19 crisis.
Additional information about The Caledonian Service
We have issued a manual of activities for working with men who abuse their partners in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. You can download the document here. The exercises contained within this document have been adapted from the Caledonian System Men’s Programme, and can be used by workers who are not Caledonian trained.
We have issued ‘Technology Tips and Techniques For Working Safely with Women’ to supplement existing working practices and assist workers in considering the best and safest methods of using technology during the COVID-19 crisis. You can access the document via your Knowledge Hub account, or contact Rory Macrae, Gill Mckinna or Astrid Shearer (contact details below).
The Central Caledonian Team contact details
As always, Caledonian National Coordinator, Rory Macrae, Caledonian National Trainer and Adviser, Gill Mckinna, and National Data Coordinator, Astrid Shearer, are available for further advice and support. The Central Caledonian Team contact details:
- Rory Macrae: 07901103852 or Rory.Macrae@communityjustice.scot
- Gill Mckinna: 07901111635 or Gill.Mckinna@communityjustice.scot
- Astrid Shearer (for data questions): Astrid.shearer@communityjustice.scot
SHORE and COVID-19 Guidance
In light of the current Covid-19 situation, appropriate housing on release from prison is of critical importance. As such, interim SHORE guidance has been developed by the prison service and the Scottish Government. Download and read the guidance here.
Links to further support
- The Scottish Government https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
- Third Sector https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus
- Police Scotland https://www.scotland.police.uk/whats-happening/news/2020/march/chief-constable-statement-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus
- Scottish Sentencing Council https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/coming-to-court/attending-a-court/coronavirus
- Social Work Scotland https://socialworkscotland.org/latest-updates-on-covid-19/
- Health Protection Scotland https://socialworkscotland.org/latest-updates-on-covid-19/
- Scottish Prison Service http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/News/News-6838.aspx
- HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland https://www.prisonsinspectoratescotland.gov.uk/news/hmips-approach-covid-19
- The Care Inspectorate https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/coronavirus-professionals
- CJVSF hub of information and resources www.ccpscotland.org/cjvsf/hot-topics/covid-19/
- Scottish Community Safety Network www.safercommunitiesscotland.org/covid-19-updates-resources/
- Skills Development Scotland: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/
- Scottish Association of Social Work www.basw.co.uk/help-key-workers-scotland
- The Scottish Parliament COVID 19 Committee https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/114991.aspx
Contact us
As always, you can get in touch with us via social media, email or mobile. We remain contactable and happy to help. Team profiles and contact details here: communityjustice.scot/our-team/ Our general contact information:
- Email: info@communityjustice.scot
- Phone: 0300 244 8420
- Twitter: @ComJusScot