The Women’s Justice Team was established in 2012 following the publication of the commission from the Scottish Government on Women Offenders which recommended new approaches to the treatment and rehabilitation of female offenders.
Using a multi-agency approach, the team aims to effectively address the often-complex needs of women who have come into the Justice System, with a view to reducing their risk of re-offending. Particular areas of support include mental and physical health, trauma, substance misuse, relationships, domestic violence, in addition to core needs such as housing and finances.
As well as social work staff, we have a dedicated NHS Fife team as well as housing support and SACRO Women’s mentoring service. All partner agencies work together to deliver services to women who are subject to Court reports, diversion from prosecution, Community Payback Order’s and post custodial services.
Services
The services women in the Justice system receive are:
- Criminal Justice social work reports
- Diversion from Prosecution
- Bail Supervision
- Community Payback Orders
- Structured Deferred Sentences
- Post custodial sentences
- Voluntary throughcare services
The team has a range of initiatives to support women including our Fife Connect Project which runs a Groupwork Programme offering a modular based range of topics which take place on a rolling basis. In addition, the Project has a Fife Connect YouTube channel which offers a variety of short clips covering a range of topics such as cooking on a budget, keeping safe, benefits and housing. The Project also runs a monthly Walk and Talk session for women which takes place on the last Friday of every month.