Care Leavers – Further Criminal Justice Support Information

Youth work programmes that include opportunities for young offenders to participate in skills-based initiatives and achieve qualifications. Focus on early intervention and preventative work to support young people before issues escalate.

Police Scotland is one of many organisations and individuals who are named as Corporate Parents within the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, which provides protections and support for people with experience of care. We recognise the importance of not only our legal duty, but our moral obligation to uphold the rights and protect the wellbeing of children and adults.

Under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, as Corporate Parents we must take certain actions including:

• Be aware of matters which might adversely affect the wellbeing of people with experience of care.
• Assess the needs of people with experience of care for the services and support we provide.
• Promote the interests of people with experience of care.
• Take any other action we consider appropriate to improve the way we work with people with experience of care.
• Collaborate with other Corporate Parents.

Some people are able to get some extra help when speaking to Police through the Appropriate Adult Service. Appropriate Adults can help people aged 16 and over who have communication support needs due to mental health challenges, learning disability, personality disorder and/or other factors including brain injury, cognitive impairment and neurodiversity such as autism and ADHD.

It does not matter if you are a victim, witness, suspect or accused as part of an investigation if you need support the Police can ask for an Appropriate Adult for you.

Learn more about Appropriate Adults.

Staff in this team have a good understanding of the impact of care experience and recognise that care leavers are significantly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They will provide statutory social work supervision and provide support to people aged 18 and over, including care leavers, from arrest through to community reintegration. They aim to reduce reoffending through personalized support, addressing trauma, and facilitating access to housing and health services.

A voluntary project to support anyone returning to Orkney following a short custodial sentence

Contact: Nick Lovick

Nick@blidetrust.org

Tel: 07840198022