Family Policies

We recognise that children and families are hugely motivating factors that can influence behaviour change, and we are committed to working with families, community, and voluntary sector partners in order to maintain meaningful family contact throughout a period of imprisonment.

Family relationships are dynamic and can be challenging, meaning that we must take a person-centred approach and be sensitive to the needs of those in our care, families, children, and young people. Where there is an opportunity to build on positive relationships or develop them, we take steps to support families and those in our care to sustain them. 

How will we do this?

We have developed a Family & Parenting Strategy for 2024-29 that outlines how we will deliver on four key outcomes:

• Families and wider social networks will be supported to maintain positive relationships with people in our care;
• Families feel included and engaged in the decisions that affect them and are informed on how to access key information;
• Parents in our care will be able to access supports which assist in maintaining positive relationships to improve their child's health and wellbeing where it is appropriate; and
• Families are safe and well and have access to a range of services that supports their safety and wellbeing.
   

We have a duty to protect children and young people who visit or contact our establishments and those in our care from harm and abuse. This includes:

• Children visiting our establishments and Visitor Centres
• Children being cared for by a mother in custody
• Young people in our care
• External Facing roles
• Information staff receive during their duties.

Child protection is the responsibility of all who interact with children and families, regardless of whether that work brings them into direct contact with children and young people. We have procedures which set out the roles and responsibilities for staff, including non-SPS staff, working across the SPS estate. 

The Child Protection policy has been brought into line with the Scottish Government’s National Guidance and applies to SPS and its private sector partners. It focuses on child protection in a SPS context, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for staff and step-by-step guidance on the reporting procedure which must be followed. 

The policy's key aims are:

• The welfare of children and young people is always paramount
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse must be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
• All staff are supported to recognise potential signs of harm/abuse; respond to their obligation to protect children/young people; and report and record concerns through the correct reporting procedures.