Custody Support & Court Work

A Court Room Quote from Luton Magistrates Court - 10/1/06

“Open Choice are providing valuable daily support and we agree that with this support already in place further supervision would not be necessary as part of this sentencing.

It's a shame that more Young people are not receiving a Service from Open Choice. It is my opinion that Social Services should be accessing this resource for many more Young people. Open Choice provide accommodation, daily support and a 24 hour advice line. Not enough Young people Leaving Care are offered this in preparation for living independently”.

The above was said by Mrs Elliott - Magistrate

Outcome, Community Service rather than Intensive Supervision Order. The Young persons name has not been written due to obvious reasons.

Custody Support

Open Choice provides dedicated support to its clients held in police custody. We provide emotional and practical support including advocating as appropriate adults. Due to our dedicated and professional approach we are often invited and at times request access to our clients while being held in the cells.

We continually do our best to make sure our clients are treated fairly and that the police adhere to the guide lines set by PACE i.e.

Length of interviews including breaks, food, drinks and warm blankets. Access to a Doctor if required and depending on how long our client is held in the cells, access to fresh air.

Open Choice works closely with Youth Offending Teams and is an alternative to secure accommodation with flexible levels of one to one dedicated practical and emotional support, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

We currently provide our services to offenders and to people who have, or are about to be released on licence and tags.

ISSP's require certain levels of support and supervision which Open Choice provides along with active roles in MAPPA meetings and reviews.

We provide:

• Police station support

• Appropriate adults

• Alternative to secure units

• Work alongside the police and courts

• Provider of self contained accommodation within the community

• Guide and encourage each client away from re offending

• Encourage clients to adhere to bail conditions and repayment of fines

• Multi agency approach

• Non judgemental Services

• Structured support programmes

• 3 & 6 month placement reviews

• Regular in house progress reports forwarded to placing authority

• Personal mobile phone provided to each client

We continue to grow and build upon the above so that our clients receive the best possible support services from Open Choice.