Criminal justice social work services ‘should not be included’ in National Care Service

In a report published today, the committee examine provisions relating to community justice and the possible transfer of criminal justice social work from local authorities to the proposed NCS.

Extensive concerns are highlighted over the lack of consultation and detail in the ‘framework’ bill making scrutiny of the proposed changes and their implications and costs impossible.

The committee highlight concerns from key stakeholders who say there has been insufficient information provided by the government to help them to form a view on the merits of transferring criminal justice social works to a National Care Service.

While witnesses acknowledged there may be benefits to integrating criminal justice social work services within the NCS, concerns are voiced that a focus on structural changes proposed in the bill will detract from other more pressing issues facing the sector. This includes critical challenges of recruitment and retention of criminal justice social work staff and other funding issues.

Speaking as the report was published, committee convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said: “Criminal justice social work and community justice play a crucial role in Scotland’s criminal justice system, yet detail of how these areas would be impacted by the creation of a National Care Service is lacking.

“The lack of information on the impact or merits of incorporating criminal justice social work into the National Care Service is concerning. The positive case for this move has not been made and so we are not convinced of its merits at this stage.

“In fact, with the other immediate challenges facing the sector, this upheaval could be to the detriment of current service provision.

“Our committee has written to the Health, Social Care and Sport committee outlining our concerns and although we have no more formal role in scrutinising this bill, we would welcome the opportunity to scrutinise further any potential changes to justice social work services.”