Ayrshire young offender project recognised at national awards

Sacro’s ‘Early and Effective Intervention Whole Systems Approach for Women’ service operating in Ayrshire has been recognised at a recent national awards ceremony in London.

The service aims to help young people involved in offending, aiming to divert women aged over 18 from prosecution and to reduce re-offending.

Since its inception in 2014, 20 women in Ayrshire have been involved in the scheme which involves workers from Sacro and the NHS receiving referrals directly from Police, undertaking an assessment, identifying needs and working with the women to address behaviour or lifestyles that has resulted in offending. Staff will support service users to access other services in the community to address need and provide emotional and practical advice.

The service is a multi-agency partnership between Sacro, Police, South West Scotland Community Justice Authority, NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health board, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and social services.

The scheme was recognised at the recent Advancing Healthcare Awards in London where the team were awarded the ‘Allied Health Professions Federation Award for Integrated Care Delivery’ and the overall Advancing Healthcare Award which covered all 39 entries across 13 categories.

Further information on the awards can be found at: www.ahpandhsawards.co.uk