Social work services in jails could be copied across nation

The way social work services are delivered at Tayside’s two open prisons could be replicated in prisons across the country, Perth and Kinross councillors will hear tomorrow.

The council’s community safety committee will be told that an audit team was impressed during a recent investigation of social work practices at Noranside and Castle Huntly.

The audit team has now proposed that the guidance used at these prisons form the basis for the delivery of social work in prisons across Scotland.

The new guidance was introduced in 2007-08 when it was agreed that social work teams from Perth and Kinross and Angus councils should be merged and managed by Perth and Kinross Council.

The merger went ahead to improve communication among social work staff and ensure a more consistent approach.

Community safety committee convener Willie Robertson said: “This is extremely good news as it shows that we are leading the way.

“Further to the establishment of the new social work management structure, it is now proposed that we develop the joint performance framework between the Scottish Prison Service and Perth and Kinross prison social work teams.

“This will allow careful monitoring and measurement of performance and will be the first of its kind in Scotland.

“This is groundbreaking work and all of the staff who are involved in this project deserve congratulation on its success.”