Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

3.7 Convicted Offenders
3.7.1 A separate plan for work with perpetrators of abuse may be needed
to compliment the plan for the protection of the child. Such plans
may be needed in a range of circumstances: where an un-convicted
offender, who accepts responsibility for abuse or neglect, agrees to
work with Social Work Services on personal change; where an
offender is placed on probation; during a custodial sentence and
following release, if an offender is released on parole or other
statutory license, or seeks voluntary assistance. The Scottish Office
previously issued guidance for local authorities and other agencies
on the supervision and management of offenders against children in
the community, and preparation and work with offenders released
from prison. If a child has been abused by another child or young
person, at home, in school or in other circumstances, Social Work
services should separately assess the circumstances, needs and risk
presented by that young person and work with him or her to reduce
the likelihood of the young person abusing again.
3.7.2 Any staff or professionals working directly with perpetrators of abuse
must co-operate fully with the key worker in the preparation of a
comprehensive assessment and recommendations for action. A
Criminal Justice Social Worker may prepare a Social Enquiry Report,
or following a conviction may supervise the offender in the
community. Similarly in the event of a custodial sentence, prison
based Social Workers may be working with the offender. The key
worker will contact prison-based staff where the alleged or convicted
offender is remanded in custody or is serving a custodial sentence,
and, where he or she is a parent of or has parental responsibilities for
the child, advise him or her of any arrangements or Child Protection
Plan.
3.7.3 Circular SWSG 11/94 requires prison and community based Social
Workers to consider what action may be needed to reduce any risk to
any children from those convicted of offences against children, when
they are released from prison. Where offenders who are placed on
Probation or released from prison return to a family in which a child
may be at risk, the social work services should employ more than
one social worker in order to serve adequately the needs of the child
and other family members, and to deal effectively with the offender.
The Sex Offenders Acts, 1997 makes provision for offenders
convicted of specified sex offences including sex offences against
children, to register their names, any aliases, their address (and any
subsequent changes) with the police for periods from five years to
life. Related guidance sets out how information on sex offenders (not
just those required to register under the Act) should be shared, (see
Criminal Justice Procedures for details).
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