We value the distinctive role of partners across all sectors in helping us respond to the challenges we face and deliver better outcomes for those in our care, our communities, and Scotland as a whole.
At a national level we work with justice partners such as Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) and Parole Board for Scotland through the Justice Board and associated partnership arrangements.
We also work with community justice partners through Community Justice Scotland, local government through engagement with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), social work through Social Work Scotland and housing through the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO).
Strong partnership working at national and local level is also in place with the DWP and Social Security Scotland to ensure those in and leaving our care have access to appropriate benefits, payments and employability support.
The third sector plays an important part in improving community justice outcomes. At a national level, SPS works with the Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector Forum (CJVSF) to facilitate third sector engagement around strategic issues and tackle shared challenges.
We also manage the contract for the Scotland-wide Court Custody and Prisoner Escorting Service for the provision of safe and secure transport for those in custody to and from courts, and appointments on behalf of multi-agency justice partners. Geoamey commenced operations in January 2019.
