Well done, you made the correct decision.
In your reflective activity, you should have covered all of these points:
- This is the right thing to do. Preparing assessments and reports are crucial parts of social work tasks in the criminal justice system. They are central to defensible decision making and are the foundation on which appropriate interventions are built.
- You are right to make sure your report is completed in line with the National Outcomes and Standards for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System. You understand that the standards are designed to support you to improve your performance and results.
- You know the importance the standards place on good quality reports. Completing an effective report includes using an agreed risk assessment tool. Report writing and risk assessment are key professional skills.
- While you have worked with John before, you know you must do a new risk assessment. You are aware the standards emphasise assessment should be an inclusive and participative process with the worker and individual working together. You know you should make sure John understands the purpose of the report and can see its content.
- Doing a new assessment using a participative approach is essential to developing an understanding of John’s current circumstances and identifying risks and needs. A new assessment will take into consideration factors like the impact of previous sentences. You know to consider near future contexts and the situations in which re-offending may occur.
- You know that effective risk assessments and their implementation are essential to ensuring good outcomes in the reduction of re-offending and promotion of community safety and public protection.
- You are aware if you had not done the right thing in this situation, it could have called into question your suitability to be a criminal justice social work professional and an investigation by your employer could have resulted in disciplinary action.
- You know that you must act in a way that demonstrates you are trustworthy and reliable. Through your actions you earn the trust of colleagues, people using services and the wider community.
You might find it useful to read the National Outcomes and Standards for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System. Scottish Government 2010.
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