NEW APPROACHES IN THE HANDLING OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS IN SCOTLAND

• NCJ Number: 54694
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (1974) Pages: 247-259
• Author(s): A WILSON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: Assoc for Psychiatric Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE BACKGROUND AND IMPACT OF A SCOTTISH STATUTE THAT EXPANDED AND REORGANIZED GOVERNMENT SOCIAL SERVICES AND CREATED CHILDREN'S PANELS TO REPLACE JUVENILE COURTS ARE ANALYZED.

Abstract

THE OBJECT OF THE SOCIAL WORK (SCOTLAND) ACT OF 1968 WAS TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL AUTHORITY SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT, RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING SOCIAL WELFARE AND FOR GIVING AID AND ADVICE WHERE NEEDED. THE MAIN EFFECT OF THE ACT WAS TO INTEGRATE SERVICES FOR CHILD CARE, WELFARE, SOCIAL SUPPORT OF THE ILL, SUPERVISION OF OFFENDERS, AND AFTERCARE OF PRISONERS. THE ACT ESTABLISHED A SYSTEM OF CHILDREN'S PANELS DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH JUVENILES WHO COMMIT OFFENSES OR FOR OTHER REASONS REQUIRE COMPULSORY MEASURES OF CARE OR PROTECTION. JUVENILE COURTS WERE ABOLISHED, ALTHOUGH ALL DECISIONS OF THE CHILDREN'S PANELS ARE SUBJECT TO APPEAL TO A COURT. THE BACKGROUND OF THE ACT--WHY IT WAS NECESSARY, DEBATE REGARDING THE INCLUSION OF PROBATION AND AFTERCARE SERVICES WITHIN THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE, ETC.--IS REVIEWED, AND THE IMPACT OF THE ACT ON SOCIAL WORK ADMINISTRATION AND STAFFING, THE DUTIES OF SOCIAL WORKERS, AND THE PROCESSING OF CASES INVOLVING JUVENILES IS ASSESSED. THE ACT HAS HAD THE EFFECT OF CREATING AN UNEXPECTEDLY LARGE VOLUME OF WORK FOR GOVERNMENT SOCIAL WORKERS (INCLUDING PROBATION OFFICERS), WITH RESULTANT PROBLEMS IN PROVIDING BOTH CASEWORK AND COURT SUPPORT SERVICES. THE ROLE THAT VOLUNTEERS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS MIGHT PLAY IN SHARING THE BURDEN IS DISCUSSED, AS IS THE NEED TO HIRE AND TRAIN MORE SOCIAL WORKERS AND ANCILLARY STAFF. GLASGOW'S USE OF CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS ON CHILDREN'S PANELS IS NOTED. SUGGESTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS THAT WOULD SERVE TO ALLEVIATE CASEWORK PRESSURES ON SOCIAL WORKERS ARE OFFERED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT, ALTHOUGH THE INTEGRATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES HAS NOT BEEN WITHOUT PROBLEMS, THE ACT REPRESENTS A GREAT STEP FORWARD, (LKM)