Abstract
Autism: Guidance for criminal justice professionals
The National Autistic Society has revised their booklet entitled Autism: A Guide for Criminal Justice Professionals. The guide provides background information about autism and aims to assist all professionals working in the criminal justice system (CJS) who may come into contact with someone who has autism, particularly police officers, solicitors, barristers, magistrates, justices of the peace, the judiciary and the courts. It is based on the experiences of people with autism and those who work with people on the autism spectrum. It contains real-life examples and personal accounts from professionals, callers to the Autism Helpline and people with autism themselves. The guide is designed to be used by criminal justice system professionals as a regular reference and contains information about understanding autism and Asperger’s syndrome, how to approach people with autism and good practice in interview settings. The guide can be accessed online at www.autism.org.uk. The website also provides information about Asperger’s syndrome, behaviour and a specific page for prison and autism spectrum disorders.
Jobseeker’s Allowance online
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) applications can now be completed online. The Directgov website aims to support customers to make their claim to Jobseeker’s Allowance online. Applicants can claim JSA online if they are: actively looking for work or working fewer than 16 hours per week; over 18 but below state pension age; living in England, Scotland or Wales. To apply for JSA online applicants will need: national insurance number; a phone number where they can be contacted; financial, employment and education details. The online application takes approximately 40 minutes. To access this service go to www.directgov.uk and then search under JSA online.
Sentencing Guidelines online
The Sentencing Council for England and Wales was set up by Part 4 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to promote greater transparency and consistency in sentencing, whilst maintaining the independence of the judiciary. The Sentencing Council is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Ministry of Justice and replaces the Sentencing Guidelines Council and the Sentencing Advisory Panel. Its role is to develop sentencing guidelines and monitoring their use, assess the impact of guidelines on sentencing practice and promote awareness amongst the public regarding the realities of sentencing. It also considers the impact of sentencing decisions on victims. The Sentencing Guidelines are now available online and provide the current guidance relating to specific offences. There are 21 different information guides that can be accessed individually for specific offences categories. The Sentencing Guidelines can be accessed at http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/guidelines/guidelines-to-download.htm
Resources for parents and those working with parents
Understanding Childhood project provided information leaflets for parents and was set up by the Child Psychotherapy Trust (CPT). The Child Psychotherapy Trust ran from 1987 and was wound up in 2004 having completed a wide range of projects. The leaflets from the Understanding Childhood project continue to be available online. The leaflets cover children’s emotional development from birth to adulthood and include leaflets on temper issues, supporting teenagers, changing schools, and there are leaflets for fathers, grandparents and extended families. The website provides information on other projects that CPT set up including child refugees and victims of torture. The leaflets and booklets have been written by experienced child and adolescent psychotherapists from the Child Psychotherapy Trust (CPT). The leaflets can be used by families, health visitors, Sure Starts and other child and family practitioners. They are useful in training and parenting education. Understanding Childhood leaflets can be viewed and downloaded using Adobe Acrobat Reader. The information leaflets can be accessed at www.understandingchildhood.net/