Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013

Annual Review2012–2013

DIRECT PROVISION OF SERVICES> “Together” project funded to address sectarianism in North Edinburgh.> Positive Intervention Programme – pilot project funded by Strathclyde Police to

address domestic abuse in Drumchapel and North Ayrshire.> Glasgow Housing Options Mediation Service – pilot programme initiated.> Scottish Prison Advice Network service initiated in partnership with Shelter

Scotland and Citizen’s Advice Bureau.> Funding secured for development of a Self-Directed Intensive Support service in

Aberdeen.> SacroawardedsignificantfundingtoleadPublicSocialPartnershiponnational

Women’s Mentoring Service.> Sacro is one of the partners in successful Public Social Partnership bid on a

nationalProlificOffenderProgrammeforyoungmen.> A Throughcare service at HMP Low Moss will also be delivered by Sacro as part

of a Public Social Partnership.

OUTCOME EVALUATION, MONITORING AND RESEARCH> Research student appointed to explore potential of coaching to support Sacro’s

People Strategy.> PhD student funded by Sacro and University of Stirling to explore innovation

in response to female offending and the role of mentors and volunteers in supporting re-integration and desistance.

> SacrohavefacilitatedspecificresearchfromfourMScCriminologyandCriminalJustice students from University of Edinburgh School of Law.

> Service User Involvement project board initiated with involvement of service users, management and Board.

> Viewpoint electronic evaluation system rolled out to all Sacro services.

INFLUENCING POLICY, LEGISLATION AND PRACTICE> Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of SPS delivered annual Sacro Lecture.> Presentation on Integrated Offender Management Programme delivered to

Scottish Association for the Study of Offending (SASO).> Government consultation responses submitted on: Performance Management in

Community Justice, Structure of Community Justice System, Review of Scots Law and Practice, Children and Young People Bill and Reduction of Drink/Drive Limit.

> Strategic review of Corporate Communications initiated.> Sacro website redesign and social media strategy developed.> Sacro contributes to the Scottish Government’s Reducing Reoffending

Programme through membership of the Programme Board and a number of workstreams/projects.

MEETING HIGH STANDARDS OF ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE> Online learning service developed and made available to all Sacro staff.> Established REsearch Advisory Group as sub-committee of Board. > A strategic audit and review of Sacro’s policies and procedures initiated.> A strategic audit and review of business processes initiated.> Significant,organisation-wideITandinfrastructureupgradecompleted.> A “Cloud” based IT system provides access to all Sacro services nationally.> Staff conference held for all Sacro staff.> Investors in People standard successfully reaccredited.> Leadership development programme launched for all senior managers.> Sacro’sfive-dayMediationSkillscourseaccreditedbyScottishCreditand

QualificationsNetwork.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 2012-2013

Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013 1

OUR ANNUAL REVIEWfor2012-2013reflectsthesuccessofSacroasanorganisation, committed to delivering services that support real change in the lives of people in Scotland.

Throughout the past year, I have been struck by the commitment of our staff, volunteersandindividualpartners,workingselflesslytoachievepositiveoutcomesfor those we strive to help. This ultimately both supports and challenges them to change their lives for the better.

Last year, we embarked on an ambitious Strategic Plan for 2012-2015 and I have been encouraged by the progress achieved towards meeting the key objectives identifiedintheplan.ThisreflectsthecommitmentanddriveofourChiefExecutive, Tom Halpin and his leadership team and the willingness of our staff to engage and play their part in meeting these challenges. This review is set out in such a way that you can see the detailed progress made in each of our strategic priorities and I would encourage you to read through the sections and see for yourself the great strides we have made in developing every area of our organisation.

AlongwithotherBoardmembers,IhavevisitedSacroofficesandmetwithstaffandserviceusersoverthecourseoftheyear.Thisisoneofthemostfulfillingpartsofmy role as Chair and I am regularly impressed by determination of staff to play their part in the success of the organisation and their commitment to improving the lives of those they work with. Similarly, the resolve of many of our service users in facing up to the challenges they encounter in their daily lives and the efforts they make to improve their lives is nothing short of inspiring.

Another highlight of the year was our annual lecture and I was delighted to introduce Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to give the 2012 lecture in the beautiful surroundings of the Signet Library in Edinburgh. ThiswasoneofColin’sfirstmajorpublicspeechesandthefactthatheacceptedourinvitationwasagreatvoteofconfidenceinSacro–andthewidervoluntarysector. As always, it was a delight to have our Honorary President, Lord Cullen along to chair the lecture. It is a privilege to have the support of such a highly respected figureandwearehonouredtohavehimassuchastalwartambassadorforSacro.

The Board continues to be refreshed and this brings new thinking, new talents and new enthusiasm to the table. It also means we lose some familiar faces and this year we bid farewell to our long standing Treasurer, Bob Marshall as he stood down from the Board. Bob’s commitment and guidance to steering us through some challenging times has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the success we now see throughout the organisation and I am sure you will join me in thanking Bob for his valuable contribution over the years.

It only leaves me to thank our funders and partners for their support throughout 2012-2013andthecontinuedconfidenceandcommitmenttheyshowtoSacro.With their help and the support of our remarkable staff and volunteers, I look forward to the coming year with much optimism and the belief that we will continue to go from strength to strength.

Sacro services received 9,370 referrals during 2012-2013.

In addition, 13,685 hours of support were provided on a spot purchase basis.

ESTHER ROBERTONChair

SACRO BOARD 2012-2013

Chair Esther Roberton

Depute Chair Elizabeth Carmichael

Treasurer Graham Paterson

Board Members Alan BairdGraham BirseElspeth DalgleishJo KnoxRobert MarshallGeoff PalmerLindsay ThomsonMike InglisPaul Collins

Observers Mark Williams (ACPOS)Robin Duncan (BASW)JoeGriffin(Scottish Government Assessor)

2 Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013

Northern

Tayside

Fife & Forth ValleyNorth Strathclyde

Lothian & BordersLanarkshire

South West Scotland

Glasgow

Key to Services

Criminal Justice

Youth Justice

Mediation

SERVICE PROFILE AUGUST 2013

Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013 3

THIS REVIEWofSacro’sachievementsfor2012-2013buildsonthesignificantworkundertakentoensurethatouroperationaleffectivenessandfinancialstability are sustained through this continued period of unprecedented austerity in Scotland. Our success in achieving this and the positive outcomes Sacro is achievingforserviceusersisreflectedinthedeterminationandstickabilityofourstaff, volunteers and partners.

I am privileged to lead Sacro and enjoy the experience daily of helping to make positive change in people’s lives. All too often we hear and read the negative comment on the hopelessness and fear that pollute our communities through offending and its associated issues.

Neither Sacro nor its partners accept this position where so frequently the real issues are connected to inequality, to deprivation and to causes that have become embedded across generations. Our approach to changing lives is informed, is evidenced-based and is grounded in reality that includes rather than excludes.

OurprinciplesrepresentinmanywaysSacro’s‘DNA’–thatconflictismoreeffectively resolved through informal, facilitated resolution which assists those involved to identify their own lasting solutions; and that offending and its consequences are most effectively dealt with through an emphasis on community disposals and sentencing, other than when there is an overriding need to protect society.

It is what we are – not a soft touch, but a challenging, testing, sometimes awkward partner that recognises our capacity to change while demanding we all show respect and are empowered to take personal responsibility.

It is a great strength for Sacro that our capabilities and capacity to support partnership has received wide recognition for the integrity and trust we have demonstrated while working collaboratively across agendas and organisational boundaries. We have focused on being person-centred to meet the complex needs of each individual we support.

This has been central to our success in 2012-2013. True collaboration with partners has brought expansion of services. Our key and successful role in a number of public social partnerships, working with women who offend, with youngmaleprolificoffenders,deliveringthroughcareservicestothenewprisonHMP Low Moss, alongside public and third sector partners, is delivering services inareaswheresignificantgapsinmeetingneedhavebeenidentified.Ourexperienceoftheseandotherpartnershipsisthatthebenefitgainedthroughcollaboration, the sum of all the parts, greatly outweighs the possible risk some may perceive from giving up power. Successful partnership supported by Sacro means a successful Sacro. That success includes delivering more holistic support to those who need our help in changing their lives through better choices.

TOM HALPINChief Executive

Sacro created 31 new jobs in 2012-2013 and employed 100 full-time, 98 part-time and 109 sessional staff in addition to 111 volunteers.

The new Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, Colin McConnell, gave one of his first public addresses at the Sacro lecture in Edinburgh’s Signet Library.

4 Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013

I am delighted to report that the voice of our services users is strong in shaping both our thinking and our services. Sacro too has a voice and has made a valued contribution to the current review of Community Justice structures in Scotland. We lookforwardtotheyearaheadandbuildingourinfluenceworkingasarespectedpartner in whatever new arrangements are proposed.

Change in life is a feature that is recognised as constant. This period saw the arrival of Colin McConnell, the new Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, and I am grateful to him for providing inspiration through the Sacro Annual Lecture when he set out his vision for the future of his service. We also saw the departure of our outstanding HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Brigadier Hugh Monro, who like Colin had set out his vision for prisons in Scotland when he initially took up his post and the arrival of his replacement, recently-retired Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders Police, David Strang. David was a member of the Prisons Commission that set out a vision of Scotland’s choice for prisons and Sacro will continue working keenly towards achieving that vision. Sacro also saw the retiral of its long standing Treasurer Bob Marshall who provided sound and sage leadership through challenging operating conditions to ensure our sustainable future. Our ability to attract such excellent board members demonstrates the strong reputation of Sacro and their confidenceforitsfuture.

Finally, the success we have experienced is founded on the extraordinary people we work with: services users, volunteers, staff, trustees, partners and the communities we are all part of. I am truly grateful for the support they have given; all are truly aligned, helping to create safe and cohesive communities in a fairer and more successful Scotland.

Sample data from all areas of Sacro Criminal Justice services in Scotland reports a 53% improvement in instances of reoffending from engaged service users. A further 23% report as stable. (Homes Matrix data)

Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill MSP at HMP Edinburgh for the launch of two new public social partnerships.

The partnerships will deliver national mentoring services for women and young men to reduce reoffending.

The Sacro-led Women’s Mentoring Service has been branded “Shine” following input from service users and partner organisations.

Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013 5

DIRECT PROVISION OF SERVICES

THIS YEAR, Sacro experienced an encouraging increase in local authorities providingearlyconfirmationoffundingforexistingservices,withsomeadditional resources provided for the expansion of services in both Lanarkshire (Alcohol-related Arrest Referrals) and Fife & Forth Valley (expansion of Women’s Mentoring and Circles of Support & Accountability) Community Justice Authority Areas.However,theconfirmationreceivedcontinuestobemainlyfocussedonsingleyearagreementsreflectingshorttermplanningforfutureserviceprovision.

While the level of new business is undoubtedly a credit to the creativity and innovation being demonstrated by staff across all services, it is also encouraging to see that the sources of funding are beginning to diversify. This includes funding from new departments within the Scottish Government, direct funding from the Police, successful applications to independent grant-making trusts and The Big Lottery Fund.

SignificantprogresshasbeenmadeinSacro’sstrategicprioritytodevelopservices that contribute to positive transformational changes in the lives of our service users. Of particular note is our commitment to successful partnership working and the opportunities this brings to provide effective and comprehensive support to reduce reoffending in our communities. Sacro has been actively engaged in designing collaborative partnerships for Public Social Partnerships (PSP) in delivering criminal justice services, working closely with other Third Sector organisations, local authorities, Community Justice Authorities and the Scottish Prison Service. As a result, Sacro is a key delivery organisation supporting PSPs including Throughcare at the new HMP Low Moss; a national mentoring partnership,NewRoutes,onProlificOffenders(ledbytheWiseGroup);andaNational PSP for Mentoring Women Offenders (led by Sacro). All three initiatives have been successful in securing funding from the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund and will be implemented during 2013/2014.

The national women’s mentoring service was designed to meet many of the recommendations set out last year by the Commission on Women Offenders. Chief amongst these is the need to deliver a sustainable service designed to contribute to a reduction in offending by women. The “Shine” service will befirmlybasedonanunderstandingofthedistinctneedsofwomenandtheinequalities and disadvantages faced by them. Similarly, the “New Routes” service will use peer mentors to support young men in making positive life choices and promote desistance from offending behaviour.

Sacro has also partnered with Shelter Scotland and the Citizens Advice Bureau toestablishaservicetosupportprisonersinfindingsuitableaccommodationonrelease. The Supporting Prisoners Advice Network (SPAN) is funded by Big Lottery and provides much-needed housing advice and support for offenders who are liberated from prison and are not eligible for statutory support. SPAN provides this support for offenders in prisons in Aberdeen, Perth and Inverness, as well as for their families.

In another important partnership development, Sacro is working with Police Scotland in Strathclyde and Assist to provide a groupwork service for men who are engaging in domestic abuse. The Positive Intervention Programme is voluntary and aimed at men in North Ayrshire and the Drumchapel area of Glasgow. Participants may already have been charged with an offence or simply want to address their behaviour before it gets out of hand.

InAberdeen,Sacrohasestablishedasignificantnewservice,workingwithpeoplewith a learning disability. The Self Directed Intensive Support Service (SDISS) will supportpeoplewhohaveasignificantreputationtochallengeservicesand/orwho may be at risk of offending or causing harm to themselves or others.

Sacro’s Another Way service continues to work with women involved in or at risk of involvement in sex work in Edinburgh.

During 2012-2013 the service worked with and supported 69 women, of which 20% either exited sex work or decreased the frequency.

The Another Way worker provides a weekly evening presence in the NHS Harm Reduction van which parks in the area where the women work as well at a clinic for female drug users and sex workers.

In March 2013, the service was awarded the National Ugly Mug Star Project Accreditation for meeting the Six Pillars of Good practice.

Attendance on Sacro’s Community Payback Service achieved 79%; significantly above the national average of 55%.

6 Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013

Sacro’s expertise in mediation contributed to the development of two new pilot programmes. In Glasgow, the Glasgow Housing Options Mediation Service wassetuptoresolveconflictanddisputesbetweenyoungpeople,familiesandlandlords. The service works with the Glasgow Housing Association to help prevent homelessnessandreducehousingcrisisintheNorthWestofthecity.Inthefirstsixmonths of operation, the service helped 14 young people avoid homelessness.

In North Edinburgh, the pilot “Together” project engaged with over 400 young people(doublethetargetfigure)toaddressconflictstemmingfromsectarianism.Sacro’s “Together” team held workshops in local schools and hosted a successful large scale event for the community at Spartans FC.

TheprovisionofCommunityMediationasaneffectivemethodofresolvingconflictremains a cornerstone of Sacro’s commitment to early intervention and this year saw an increase in referrals for the service. Our Scottish Community Mediation Centre trained over 70 mediators in basic mediation skills this year in addition to providing more than 60 training days for experienced mediators. The feedback from participants on these training events was 100% positive.

Addressing the harm caused by offending behaviour among young people has been a major element of Sacro’s service provision for many years. Our Youth Justice Services continue to provide interventions based on restorative practices and last year worked with over 1100 referrals across Scotland. Sacro’s involvement with the Perth & Kinross Youth Justice Partnership was recognised with a Gold Award at the council’s Securing the Future Awards.

JUNE 2013Many thanks to all our members who contributed to this edition.

LANARKSHIRE W♀MEN’S MENTORING SERVICEnewsletter

Sacro Women’s Mentoring Service11 Merry Street, Motherwell ML1 1JJTelephone: 01698 230 433. Email: [email protected]. Web: www.sacro.org.uk

Friday Night GroupWE HAVE enjoyed a series of evenings at the Springhall Community Centre,

Rutherglen during February and March. Activities ranging from quizzes to

prize bingo have been enjoyed by women from the East Kilbride, Rutherglen

and Cambuslang areas. We would like to offer a special thanks to Nicole, Nic and Tasha who visited

the group on two occasions offering free hair make-overs to our members.“The Friday night group is sorely missed, I had a good time and socialised without drinking”Service user

Fire Safety Visits ArrangedMARK from Strathclyde fire service visited us at the group to advise us on

fire safety in the home. A few of our group members took the opportunity to

sign up for a free home visit from the fire service to identify hazards in their

homes.

Una said “I had a home visit. The firemen were professional and completely

non-judgemental. My son has an alcohol problem and often goes to bed

drunk with a cigarette. The bedding has lots of cigarette burns. The firemen

saw this and spoke to my son about the dangers of smoking when drunk. “They fitted a new fire alarm upstairs and supplied me with new fire retardant

duvet and bedding. This has given me a great peace of mind, the kind that

money cannot buy”.“I was so relaxed in their company and they gave me great tips on keeping myself and my family safe”Service user

Keep Well Nurses Visit our GroupHEATHER AND SANDRA from the Keep Well Service carried out health checks on all the members and gave us sound

advice on how to live healthier lifestyles.Tests to determine diabetes and cholesterol levels, blood pressure checks and many other health checks were offered

to each member taking part. Each patient was given advice specific to their results Heather and Sandra also organised referrals for a gym pass which allowed the group free use of local authority sports

centres to try out different classes or use the swimming pool and gym for up to four weeks.

Before you ask; this isn’t Mark.

The “Together” project funded to address sectarianism in North Edinburgh engaged with over 400 young people – twice as many as anticipated.

Sacro’s “Together” team with pupils from schools in North Edinburgh.

Sacro’s Women’s Mentoring Services use newsletters and social media to engage with and support service users.

Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013 7

OUTCOME EVALUATION, MONITORING AND RESEARCH

ACCURATE evaluation and monitoring of service performance is critical in providing effective services as well as informing the design of new ones. Sacro’s Performance Improvement Model (PIM) has now been embedded throughout the organisation and we now have over a year’s worth of accurate data with which to monitor how we are performing in every area. We have achieved membership of Quality Scotland who will now assess and evaluate our use of this model.

Similarly, the collection of Key Performance Indicators from all services has allowed us to more accurately monitor outcomes for our service users. Use of the Viewpoint online evaluation tool also provides valuable service user feedback on the effectiveness of services. This tool is now used throughout all Sacro services.

Collecting and analysing this information places considerable demands on information technology systems and – to ensure our systems were up to the task – we embarked on a project to review our IT infrastructure. This year saw the culmination of that project with investment in hardware and a new Cloud-based network, effectively connecting each and every Sacro worker, regardless of their location. Improved availability of mobile and notebook computing has also allowed staffgreaterflexibilitytoworkoutwiththeofficeenvironment.

Sacro is committed to involving service users in how we design and deliver our services. A Service User Involvement Advisory Group was set up to include service users, staff and Sacro Board members. These advisory group meetings have proved invaluable in informing our service provision and many suggestions resulting from meetings have been developed further.

A key objective of our strategic plan is to commission high quality research. This year, Sacro and the University of Stirling jointly funded a student to embark on a three-year PhD study into “Innovation in response to female offending: the role of mentors and volunteers in supporting re-integration and desistance”.

Sacro has also given access to a range of student researchers from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Law. They were given access to Sacro services to help them complete their ‘Criminological Research methods’ in their MSc. There was a wide range of topics covered in small-scale research, including research on: alternatives to prison, street work,throughcareandrestorativepractices.Themainfindingsoftheresearch around prison concluded that aftercare is essential for Drug Treatment and Testing Orders to be successful, multi-agency working is needed to cover all the needs of service users and that access to housing, education and health are core factors in improving the chances of successful rehabilitation. Another researcher recommended that improvements in information sharing would help prisoners access services more consistently; suggesting a shared database.

Research into the perception of effectiveness of the voluntary sector in regulating prostitution considered the multi-agency approach in Edinburgh to be working well. Communication and coordination were good but funding continues to be the primary challenge. Feedback from police in Edinburgh suggested that “just one more service could cover all nights on the street”. Effectiveness was seen as “just reaching the girls” and that [Sacro] did this well in Edinburgh.

Research into Restorative Justice (RJ) suggests that practitioners felt there were benefitstotheuseofRJ,especiallyincaseswheremoreseriousharmhadoccurred.RJbenefitscommunitiesbymakingcommunitiessaferthroughaddressingoffendingbehaviour, especially where the persons responsible and harmed were known to each other.

Researchfindingssuchastheseareveryhelpfultopracticedevelopmentandprovide useful information to support service provision and consider further research questions.

The Sacro Alcohol Groupwork service exceeded expectations by achieving a 75% completion rate.

Glasgow Supported Accommodation, which supports individuals on a licence or order of the court to maintain their tenancy as well as accessing support to reduce their risk of reoffending, achieved an occupancy rate of 89% against a target of 75%.

Sacro’s new website provides advice to the public as well as information on services, policy and governance.

8 Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013

CASE NOTES

ANDREW was released from prison on a Home Detention Curfew. He had engaged with the Supporting Prisoners Advice Network (SPAN) and been allocated a key worker.

On release, Andrew did not have electricity in his flat. Without this, his electronic tag would not be operational and he would be recalled into custody. His SPAN worker intervened and arranged for the supply to be connected to allow Andrew to complete his sentence in the community.

Andrew identified planned areas of support to help him break his cycle of offending. These included embarking on – and sustaining – a methadone programme, re-establishing his relationship with his children and exploring the possibility of gaining custody of them and finding employment.

SPAN staff supported Andrew to access drug misuse services and he has now started on a methadone programme. Contact was made with the appropriate social work department and it was decided that if Andrew can maintain a stable lifestyle on his methadone programme he can have contact with his children.

Andrew has now moved onto a more independent and offence free lifestyle. His SPAN worker has supported him through setbacks such as difficulties with managing large debts and strains on his relationship with his partner and family. All the while, Andrew’s SPAN worker has continued to encourage him and remind him of all he had achieved so far.

His journey since being released from prison has been difficult at times but Andrew is now more able to cope with and manage the challenging situations he is often faced with. He is now able to distance himself from others when he feels it may land him in trouble and is prepared to make a telephone call to ask for help.

“If it were not for the Supporting Prisoners Advice Network, I would be back in prison. The support provided by SPAN has been invaluable.”

Andrew

Scottish Community Mediation Centre trained 72 mediators in basic skills and provided 62 training days for experienced mediators. 100% of feedback from training was positive.

The Supporting Prisoners Advice Network (SPAN) service is funded by Big Lottery and provides much-needed housing advice and support for offenders who are liberated from prison and are not eligible for statutory support. It is a partnership project with Shelter Scotland, Inverness CAB (Citizen’s Advice Bureau) and Sacro providing support to offenders, and their families, in HMP Perth, Grampian and Inverness.

Sacro provides community-based support to help offenders re-integrate into society and live stable, independent lives. This project offers joined-up support during times of transition. Service users are also supported to access help with wider needs such as substance misuse which may be linked to cycles of homelessness and offending.

Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013 9

INFLUENCING POLICY, LEGISLATION AND PRACTICE

OVER THE YEAR, Sacro played a key role in developing initiatives to address the specificproblemsofwomenoffenderswithinthecriminaljusticesystem.Followingthe recommendations of the Commission of Women Offenders, Sacro initiated a Project Group and invited agencies with an interest in women offenders to discuss and identify how best to meet these needs. We also co-hosted a think-tank with the ScottishConsortiumonCrimeandCriminalJusticetosharethoughtsonthefindingsof the Commission of Women Offenders and presented our experiences of working with women offenders to the National Conference of the Scottish Association for the Study of Offending.

In October, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill MSP visited staff and serviceusersfromourWomen’sMentoringServices–tohearatfirst-handhowtheservice was having a real and positive impact on the lives of the women involved.

Tosupportourinfluencingagenda,Sacro’sChiefExecutiveand senior managers continued to meet with politicians and representatives from Scottish and local government throughout the year. Speaking engagements, presentations and workshops at events such as the Association of Directors of Social Work Conference and Holyrood Communications’ National Offender Management ConferencealsohelpedspreadSacro’sinfluenceandshareour experience with stakeholders.

Sacro continues to be represented on the Scottish Government’s Reducing Reoffending Project Board by Chief Executive, Tom Halpin. This important project sees Sacro directly involved in developing work to tackle reoffending rates at the highest level.

Responding to government consultations is an important way of using our experienceandknowledgetoinfluencegreaterpolicydevelopment.Thisyear,Sacroresponded to consultations on: Performance Management in Community Justice, Structure of the Community Justice System, Review of Scots Law and Practice, Children and Young People and the Reduction of the Drink/Drive Limit.

InoneofhisfirstpublicspeechessincetakingoverasChiefExecutiveoftheScottish Prison Service, Colin McConnell gave the Sacro Lecture to a packed hall at Edinburgh’s Signet Library. The well-received lecture provided a fascinating, early insight into how the new Chief Executive is prepared to challenge and rethink the purposes of imprisonment within the context of an integrated, community focussed justice system.

Sacro continues to work with press and broadcast media at every opportunity. In addition to articles in most major newspapers and magazines, Sacro’s TV and radio exposure covered subjects including: managing sex offenders in the community, life after crime, mediation, volunteering, women’s mentoring and accommodation for ex-prisoners.

Online communications and social media is an increasingly important vehicle for engaging with the public and stakeholders. Sacro has been actively using Twitter forsometimeandthisyearextendeditsprofiletoFacebooktoengagewithservice users in our mentoring services. In a pilot project, Sacro set up secure and closed groups to allow staff and service users to connect online. The success of this project and the feedback received from its evaluation has resulted in an online communications strategy which we are now implementing across the organisation. Coupled with the launch of our new website this autumn, the coming year will see Sacro’s use of digital and online technologies accelerate markedly.

Sacro provided 6,600 hours of support to 12 service users on Intensive Support Packages.

Sacro continues to work actively with press and broadcast media to engage with the public and stakeholders.

The organisation has also worked to increase its profile on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

10 Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013

CASE NOTES

KAYLEIGH was in the early stages of engagement with Willow when she was admitted to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, under detention. A mentor visited her in hospital in December and although Kayleigh was feeling suicidal at the time the mentor had remarked that:

“Kayleigh was very grateful for the support. She seemed happier after (the visit) and thanked me for the help. I did try to encourage her to keep positive and to think about small goals and take things one step at a time”.

After coming out of the hospital in January, Kayleigh was staying in a hostel and was feeling ‘low’; she was not attending the organised group sessions. Following encouragement to come to the group, a mentor supported Kayleigh during the session so that she felt more at ease and comfortable in the Willow setting. Because of Kayleigh’s mental health condition, it was important to ensure she was feeling at ease in order to engage positively with the Willow service. Although mentors had arranged to meet Kayleigh and accompany her to the Willow group, Kayleigh failed to make that first appointment; saying she was feeling anxious and down. The next week however, Kayleigh agreed to meet her two mentors in town and they accompanied her to Willow. The mentors provided emotional support to Kayleigh who was feeling particularly anxious and vulnerable at the time. This support continued and mentors continued to accompany Kayleigh to the group, initially meeting her in town and progressing to meet her at the group location. Kayleigh is now confident enough to come to the group alone.

Kayleigh has also had mentoring support to accompany her to court twice. On both occasions, the mentor provided emotional and practical support and on the second occasion Kayleigh reported a greater sense of wellbeing. On both occasions Kayleigh thanked the mentor for accompanying her there and seemed to be reassured at the mentor’s presence. On leaving the court on the second occasion Kayleigh remarked that it would be the last time she was in there.

Most recently Kayleigh has received mentoring support to encourage engagement with community services. A mentor accompanied Kayleigh to the swimming baths so that she could familiarise herself with the layout and facilities. The hope was that Kayleigh would begin exercising independently, something they knew would have a positive impact on her mental and physical health as well as general well-being, confidence and self esteem. This sort of outcome is particularly relevant to Kayleigh as her offences have all been committed when she has had problems with her mental health. Kayleigh said she enjoyed going swimming and thanked the mentor saying that she wouldn’t have come unless the mentor was there. However, the next day, Kayleigh asked to use the phone at Willow to book a dance class at the Swim Centre and wanted to go there independently.

Willow is a partnership between NHS Lothian, City of Edinburgh Council and Sacro. The service aims to help improve the health, wellbeing and safety of women in the criminal justice system by addressing their social, health and welfare needs. It enhances and supports the women’s access to services and helps to reduce offending behaviour.

88% of community based reparations agreed in Aberdeen were completed work successfully.

Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013 11

MEETING HIGH STANDARDS OF GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

AS PART OF the development of Sacro’s People Strategy, we commissioned an MSc research student to explore how coaching methods might support the strategy. As a result of this research we are beginning to embed coaching across the organisation. Our Corporate Management Group members have developed their skills and knowledge in the area of coaching and these skills are now being used to enhance individual and team performance.

Our managers have participated in a Management Development Programme focusing on the key skills and attributes required to create individual development plans.

Sacro’s new model of Learning and Development is now well established. This approach has involved a move from a heavily-resourced model of in-house classroom-based delivery to a facilitated needs-led model based on external provision.Thisisbuildingsignificantsupportandachievingcredibilitywithstaffaligned to improved personal accountability for progress and achievement.

We are embedding continuous learning across the organisation through a range of options including on-line learning and tailored events. Sacro’s on-line learning system learnPro, is available to all staff and is being used to create learning on a range of essential and continuing professional development topics. Following a short pilot project this system is now being opened up to volunteers.

Sacroisfirmlycommittedtosupportinganddevelopingitsstaffandvolunteersand this year successfully renewed the Investors in People status it has held since 2005. The organisation also holds Investors in Volunteers accreditation. This ongoing commitment is underlined by the appointment of a dedicated Volunteer Co-ordinator. Skilled volunteers are critical to the successful delivery of many of our services and this new post will provide further support and development opportunities for them as well as co-ordinating the recruitment of new volunteers.

Sacro’s review of its Policies and Procedures is continuing with many having been updatedandrefinedtoreflectourcurrentoperatingenvironmentandcomplywithrelevant legislation.

A similar review into our business processes is also nearing completion. The results of this review will help greatly in the choice of a new case management system to further enhance service delivery and provide robust management information.

The Sacro-managed Scottish Community Mediation Centre continues to develop and deliverhigh-qualitytraininginmediationskills.Ourfive-dayMediationSkillscoursewasaccreditedthisyearbytheScottishCreditandQualificationsnetwork.

Such was the success of our inaugural staff conference in 2011, we committed to making this an annual event. Following the 2013 conference in October, we again conducted an evaluation and staff survey using similar questions to previous surveys. This helps us identify trends in staff satisfaction and highlight areas to address for the coming year.

The Care Inspectorate ‘Champions Group’ has made significantprogressinnotonlyimplementingCareInspectorate recommendations following inspections, but importantly, sharing learning across service boundaries and providing support and training to staff to aid them in preparing for and responding to the Inspection process. This has also informed and improved Sacro’s engagement and relationship with the Care Inspectorate and its staff.

Women’s Mentoring service users reported that after the service they felt they were less likely to offend, felt safer and were in better mental and physical health than before.

For all women who completed an initial and exit self-assessment (Homes Matrix) there was an evidenced improvement of approximately 10% with regard to shelter, food/clothing and possessions, alcoholmisuse,financesand social relationships. There was a 14% improvement in physical health, drug use, personal safety, and offending, and a 33% improvement in emotional health.

In Lanarkshire, Sacro piloted group sessions for women on a Friday evening to encourage positive activities as an alternative to alcohol. 100% of service users who responded stated that they had reduced alcohol intake and offending as a direct result of taking part.

Sacro staff arriving at the annual Staff Conference.

12 Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013

CASE NOTES

14 YEAR-OLD GEMMA was referred to the Assertive Outreach Service whilst living at home with her parents and two younger brothers.

Social Work had been involved with Gemma’s family throughout her life; her mum struggled to cope and frequently separated from Gemma’s father. Her parents also had issues with neighbours as the family home was viewed as a hub for criminal activity. Because of her family’s reputation, Gemma was bullied at school and stopped attending.

Gemma was referred to Sacro’s Assertive Outreach because she was committing offences and had disengaged from social work and education. She was allocated a Sacro key worker who set out to make contact with her. Initial attempts were difficult because Gemma was mistrusting and withdrawn, however, the key worker persevered and visited Gemma at different locations and different times of the week including evenings and weekends.

Gemma began to engage and identified her support needs: self-esteem, education, meaningful activities and goals for the future. The Sacro key worker took Gemma to and from school and met with her at lunch times. Her Sacro key worker supported her to attend planning meetings, speak about her feelings and accept guidance when a deterioration in her behaviour became concerning. Sacro also sourced funding for Gemma to attend Deeside Flying Club where she learned to fly a glider and assist the ground crew.

Gemma worked with Assertive Outreach for eight months and successfully exited after engaging with appropriate services. Subsequently, she is back in education, doing well within her family and has committed no further offences.

Last year, The Aberdeen Assertive Outreach service for young people worked with 21 service users, involving 1,462 attempted contacts, 1,013 of which were successful (69%).

This supported the young people to attend school or appointments with statutory agencies such as social work, and continues to work with them until they effectively re-engage.

The Assertive Outreach service provides a support service for young people who have been involved in persistent offending or anti-social behaviour, and are disengaged from services.

Sacro staff engage directly with young people and their families to build a relationship of trust.

The needs and issues of each young person are assessed individually. Sacro then identify the appropriate specialist services that will help support their needs and continue to work intensively with the young people to support them in engaging with services.

Sacro Annual Review 2012-2013 13

FINANCIAL POSITION

DURING 2012-2013, Sacro’s turnover amounted to £7.6 million.

Criminal Justice Services continue to represent the main source of expenditure (66%) with Youth Justice and Community Mediation accounting for 19% and 15% of the total respectively.

INCOME £’000s

Funding from Local Authority Service Level Agreements 6,192

Scottish Government Funding 1,041

Rent and Service Charges 132

Other Income (including Bank Interest) 143

Total Income (excluding pension adjustments) 7,508

EXPENDITURE £’000s

Criminal Justice 4,818

Youth Justice 1,394

Community Mediation 1,066

Governance Costs 19

Total Expenditure (excluding pension adjustments) 7,297

ThefinancialenvironmentinwhichSacrooperatesremainschallenging,andtheorganisation continues to adapt to its changing circumstances. Sacro has undergone asignificantperiodoftransformationoverthepasttwofinancialyears,designedto increase competitiveness and enable services to demonstrate their effectiveness againstclearly-definedperformancecriterialinkedtooutcomes.

The2013-2014financialyearpresentsfurtherchallengestoSacrobuttheactionstaken during 2012-2013 ensures Sacro is well-placed to respond.

THE SACRO TRUST

The Sacro Trust is constitutionally separate and aims to provide small grants to individuals in the process of rehabilitation. The Trust awarded 50 grants totalling £7,373 in 2012-2013. £1,475 in grants were either returned in full or unspent monies.

Sacro’s Intensive Support Package service has undergone extensive scrutiny and review with managementandstaffingchanges implemented, supported by intensive practice scrutiny.

This service was subject to an unannounced inspection by the Care Inspectorate this year and graded as ‘very good’.

In 2012-2013, 6,600 hours of support was provided to 12 service users and focussed on managing serious risk. The absence of harm is a critically important positive outcome.

For the 44 young people offered a restorative justice service in Aberdeen, 77% participated and 97% completed work successfully.

SacroNationalOffice: 29AlbanyStreet,EdinburghEH13QN.Telephone: 0131 624 7270Fax: 0131 624 7269Email: [email protected]: www.sacro.org.uk

ISBN 978-1-900539-63-0

Sacro ref: NAT/131© Sacro 2013

Sacro is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, limited by guarantee. Registered in Scotland. Company Registration Number: SC086651. Registered Charity Number: SC016293. RegisteredOfficeat29AlbanyStreet,EdinburghEH13QN.

Printed on 100% recycled, totally chlorine-free paper. 9 781900 539630