About our Justice Services

Justice Social Work Services ensure that those in conflict with the law are appropriately assessed and managed within the community. In undertaking this work justice services contributes to the wider aim of enhancing community safety and wellbeing for all residents of South Lanarkshire. We work closely with partner agencies to ensure that we are contributing towards the Community Planning Partnership Community Plan 2017-2027.

The overarching aims of the service are to:

• Deliver a justice service that contributes positively and helps to create an inclusive and respectful society in which all people and communities live safely and securely
• To reduce reoffending and support people to pay back constructively for their crimes, to build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities
• To promote strong, equal partnership working between third party and public sector organisations and other agencies with an increased emphasis on public protection
• To contribute to making our community a safer place to live

Legislation for Justice Social Work Services

The implementation of the Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 led to Justice Social Work Services forming part of a wider Community Justice Partnership. The Scottish Government's vision for Community Justice is to:

• prevent and reduce further offending by addressing its underlying causes; and
• safely and effectively manage and support those who have committed offences to help them reintegrate into the community and realise their potential for the benefit of all citizens

Community Justice Scotland, a national body, provide:

• independent professional assurance to Scottish Ministers on the collective achievement of community justice outcomes
• and also have a hub for community justice innovation, learning and development

For more information about Justice Services in South Lanarkshire please contact the Justice Teams in our local social work offices.