Support and assistance

Mediation can help you resolve disputes with your neighbours. 

It helps you make practical agreements that work for both you and your neighbour.

The mediation process gives you a way to reach agreement with your neighbour and provides a safe environment for you to discuss your concerns.

Mediation needs you and your neighbour to be willing to talk and find a solution.

Mediation is an equal process so that everyone is treated fairly. Each person is listened to and gets the chance to hear the other person's point of view.

If both you and your neighbour agree to mediation, we'll arrange either joint mediation or shuttle mediation.

Joint mediation

Our Mediation Officers will meet you and your neighbour together at a neutral venue.

At the meeting, the mediation officer will help you and your neighbour share information and hopefully reach a solution.

Shuttle mediation

If appropriate, the mediation officers will arrange shuttle mediation instead of joint mediation.

This is where we help you and your neighbour exchange information without having to meet each other. 

The mediation officer will communicate between you and your neighbour to help resolve the situation.

Mediation for noise issues

Sometimes neighbours are unaware that the noise from their home is causing an issue.

We can work with you and your neighbours to find a level of volume for television, music or games equipment that is acceptable to both of you. 

We may ask our Noise Enforcement Team to help us. They can measure the noise level at each property to see if it's above or below the permitted level for the time of day.

We will not decide what level of noise is acceptable, you and your neighbour will need to agree this.

For noise issues with dog barking, children, burglar alarms, industrial or commercial noise, see our noise nuisance page.

For concerns about shouting, swearing, fighting or verbal abuse, see our antisocial behaviour page.

If you would like us to mediate for you:

• call us on 0300 300 0380
• select option 1
• ask for Mediation

You can also email our Renfrewshire Community Safety Partnership team at rcsp@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

One of our Mediation Service Team will contact you as soon as possible. We'll contact you to arrange a suitable appointment at your home.

We'll listen to your view of the situation, ask you what you would like for the future and discuss how we can help.

If we think mediation is right for you and you agree to proceed, we'll contact your neighbour.

If they are also willing to try mediation, we'll arrange an appointment to visit them at their home. 

If you and your neighbour do not reach an agreement following mediation, you can get advice from Citizens Advice Scotland about neighbour disputes, including noise, antisocial behaviour, boundary and garden disputes or damage and repairs.

The service is free, and our mediation officers are specially trained and impartial. 

More information

For more information about the Instrumental Music Service and how your child can learn a musical instrument read our Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service information leaflet:

You can also contact our Music Development Officer by:

• email mark.traynor@renfrewshire.gov.uk   
• phone 0141 487 2496

Read our Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service guidelines:

Authority ensembles

Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service authority ensemble programme provides opportunities for young musicians to meet, develop, and enhance their musical experiences and learning.

Our ensembles are open to children and young people up to the age of 19, who play a musical instrument at the appropriate level and:

• attend a Renfrewshire Council school
• attend the Saturday Music Centre or,  
• live in Renfrewshire.  

The ensembles rehearse from September to March.

Read more about how your child can participate in the authority ensemble programme with our information leaflet:

Renfrewshire Instrumental Music Service offers no cost instrumental music lessons to primary and secondary pupils in schools.  

The service is delivered by instrumental music teachers. They work in partnership with schools and music departments to deliver a curriculum that enables children and young people to be successful, confident, responsible, and an effective contributor.

The choice of instruments available will vary from school to school, but lessons are provided on:

• bagpipes
• brass
• guitar
• percussion
• pipe band drumming
• strings  
• woodwind.  

Learning through music provides children and young people with a wide range of opportunities and experiences that develop and prepare them for life at school and beyond.

As well as the musical benefits, learning to play a musical instrument can:

• develop self-esteem and confidence
• enhance co-ordination, memory, and social skills
• improve concentration and discipline
• positively impact health and wellbeing
• teach your child how to work as part of a team and contribute to the life of the school and wider community.

The service offers instrumental music lessons to primary and secondary pupils in schools in Renfrewshire.

Learning a musical instrument is open to pupils from Primary 5 (strings only) and Primary 6 (depending on staff availability and resources). This may vary from school to school.  

Your child will have an initial presentation from the Instrumental Music Service about what instruments are available to learn at their school.

As there is often more demand for instrumental lessons than availability, it may not be possible to offer every pupil the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.

What a justice social work report is

If someone is convicted of an offence, the court may ask for a justice social work report (JSWR).

This is a social background report requested by the sentencing Sheriff to help the court know more about you and your life before deciding on a sentence.

The report is written by a social worker and includes:

• information on your background, previous offences or involvement in offending, your current situation, and any support needs you may have
• your attitude to, and understanding of, your offence
• an assessment of your risk of re-offending
• considerations on the impact on the victim and community  
• a review of the likely sentencing options, considering the most effective to reduce re-offending.

The aim is to reduce the chances of further offending.

The report will help decide if you are suitable for a community sentence, such as a fine or a Community Payback Order.

When reports are asked for

A court may request a report for many reasons but not for every case.

Reports are always prepared for:

• anyone under 21 years of age and convicted
• anyone who could be sentenced to custody for the first time
• anyone who is already subject to supervision.

Justice social work report interview

If a report has been requested, you’ll likely be asked to come into the justice social work office.  

If you need a second interview, it may be at your home, or some other suitable place.  

Our social worker may ask for information on:

• the offence(s) which led to you appearing in court, as well as any previous offending
• your current circumstances, such as where you live and who you live with  
• your financial situation
• your physical and mental health
• any past or current involvement with social work services.  

The social worker writing the report will look at this information alongside other information that has been made available to them.

Information from other people

They will explain to you who they will contact for more information.  

This could include:

• other agencies and access to social work records
• your GP  
• a family member or partner.  

The information you and other people provide will be treated confidentially.  But you need to know that information from the report could be discussed during your court appearance.  

Sometimes, journalists are in court. They are not given a copy of the report but can share news on any case which is discussed in an open court.  

The report will also be seen by the Sentencer, Procurator Fiscal (the prosecutor) and your solicitor.

Information you share with us

It’s your choice what information you share with the social worker.

The court relies on the report to help make a decision on your sentencing. If the report writer does not have enough information to complete the report, a letter will be sent to court explaining the reasons why a report is not available.  

If you're unsure or have questions, you can speak with the social worker. For independent advice, speak to your solicitor.  

When your report is complete

Your solicitor will be provided with a copy of your Justice Social Work Report.  

If you do not have a solicitor, a member of the court social work team can provide a copy.

Sometimes, the social worker who prepared your report may speak with you about what is in it. This is to help you understand the content and to answer any questions you may have.  

When you appear in court

You should attend court on time and meet with your solicitor if necessary.  

You will be sentenced at court. The outcome may involve working with justice social work services as part of a community-based sentence.  

This could start on the same day you are sentenced. If not, you will get information to help you understand what is expected and what happens next.  

More information  

If you want to find out more, contact our justice social work service by: 

What throughcare is

Throughcare is a service provided to prisoners both during and after their sentence.

It aims to:

• help prisoners and their families to prepare for their release from prison and to reintegrate successfully in the community
• increase community safety and public protection by providing services aiming to reduce reoffending
• ensure that high-risk offenders are supervised and monitored after their release from prison.

Depending on the length and type of sentence the court has imposed, a person may be required to undertake a period of supervision upon their release from prison. This is known as statutory throughcare.

Any person on remand or serving a sentence can also ask justice social work for support and advice after their release even when there is no legal requirement to do so. This service is called voluntary throughcare.

Statutory throughcare

Statutory throughcare is provided for people who have been sentenced to custody where there are legal requirements for supervision on release from prison.

It monitors and supports the person and their families during the custodial sentence and following their release from prison.

Justice social work provides statutory throughcare services to people who have been sentenced to 4 or more years in prison and released on:

• life license
• parole license
• non-parole license
• extended sentence
• supervised released order
• short-term sex offender license
• order of lifelong restriction.

A justice social worker will keep in contact during the prison sentence and attend integrated care meetings with prison staff during the person’s time in custody.  

The service provides assessment and review reports on the individual’s progress to court and the Parole Board.  

If a person does not comply with an order’s requirement, this must be reported. This could lead to a recall and return to prison.

Voluntary throughcare

If a person has been remanded or sentenced to custody, and there are no legal requirements imposed when they are released, they can ask for help and advice from our justice social work service.

A person is entitled to request throughcare when they are placed in custody. This can also run throughout a sentence and for up to a year after their release.

If you would like to request voluntary throughcare from our justice social work service after your release from custody, contact us by:

• email: swbscriminaljustice@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0300 300 1199 

National throughcare service

Upside, Scotland’s national prison throughcare service, was launched in April 2025. It supports people moving from short-term custody (sentences under 4 years) or remand back into the community.

Upside has 8 charities involved in the delivery of the programme. In Renfrewshire, Action for Children is the lead delivery organisation and works closely with various partners.  

It can support people with any issues they may experience on release, such as:

• health
• housing
• finance  
• accessing wider community services.  

As well as helping with immediate practical challenges a person may face, Upside also helps to link a person to other supports that may help rebuild their circumstances with dignity and purpose. People can be supported for up to 12 months.

Find out more about Upside national throughcare service (Upside website). 

More information

If you want to find out more or discuss what services are available to you, contact our justice social work service by:

If you’re a commissioned care provider with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, you can use this form to contact us about any financial issues related to care provision, such as invoices, client contributions, or payments.

You need to be a commissioned care provider with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership to use this service.

If you want to ask a question about your own care, you can contact the adult services team.

You can use this service to ask us about missing care provider payments and changes to support or need, such as:

• rate changes
• underpayments
• shortfall in client contributions
• overpayments
• changes in support or need
• other financial queries.

If the financial issue will affect the care that you provide you must inform the relevant care manager within 1 working day.

When you contact us about the financial issue, you’ll need to provide:

• details about you as the care provider
• details about the service user, including their:
  • social care reference number
  • CHI number, if known
  • address
  • the type of care they get, such as care at home, supported living, care home, or day service
  • the care manager name and care manager team, if known
• what type of finance query you’re making
• any changes to care delivery
• discussions already held with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership staff
• date when the issue was identified
• start and end dates for your query
• amounts expected and amounts actually received and the amount you’re looking to get
• evidence if you have any, such as invoices, reconciliations or contracts.

Contact us about a care provider financial issue

We’ll review your submission and send it to the appropriate finance, commissioning, or care management team.

What our Whole System Approach is

Our Whole Systems Approach provides social work services and support for young people who may come into conflict with the law.

By using a Whole Systems Approach, we aim to:

• focus on the wider needs of children and young people and their families
• help reduce offending behaviours
• divert children from criminal involvement where possible and it is safe to do so.

The approach is based on research, which suggests that better long-term outcomes for young people in trouble can be achieved by safely diverting them away from legal requirements, prosecution, and custody where possible.

Find out more about the Whole System Approach (WSA) to young offending (Scottish Government website), which is supported by the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) framework (Scottish Government website).

What services we provide for young people

If you have been in conflict with the law persistently or significantly, our Whole Systems Approach can provide:

• interventions and intensive support
• court support
• support if you are leaving secure care or a young offenders’ institution
• support for your family.

Other services our Whole Systems Approach provides are:

• early identification through referrals made by police, schools or the public
• assessment reports to court and the children’s panel
• diversion and bail services
• risk assessment and case management services
• support for problematic drug or alcohol use
• supervision of court or children’s panel requirements
• public protection duties, including child protection, public protection and adult protection.

Who can get support

Our Whole System Approach (WSA) may support you if you are:

• under 18 years of age, or
• aged up to 20 years old, if you’re care experienced.

You may get support if you:

• are involved in offending behaviour
• are at risk of being, or are, subject to measures by the Children’s Hearing due to offending behaviour
• are at risk of being, or are, involved in the criminal justice system.

How to contact us

You or a family member can contact us for support by:

What our women’s justice team is 

Our women’s justice team provides social work services for women involved in the justice system.

The team is staffed by women only and work with women during all stages of the criminal justice process. 

It works within a trauma informed approach, recognising the different and often complex circumstances and experiences of women involved within the criminal justice system.

What services the team provide

Services include:

• justice social work reports 
• diversion from prosecution
• bail services
• Community Payback Orders
• Structured Deferred Sentences
• Statutory and voluntary throughcare services.

How to contact us

If you want to find out more or discuss what services could be available to you, contact our justice social work service by:

What unpaid work is

Unpaid work is a requirement that can be made as part of aa Community Payback Order or it can be imposed on its own.

This gives someone the opportunity to ‘pay back’ their local communities for the harm their offence has caused.

The court can impose between 20 to 300 hours of unpaid work, which the person will need to complete within a specified timeframe. Unpaid work does not replace paid employment.

Unpaid work should:

• help people to develop and improve their social skills
• be of benefit to the local community, by taking place through a community group or project, or not for profit organisation
• be in a safe environment.

Levels of unpaid work

The court can sentence 2 levels of unpaid work requirement:

• Level 1: 20 to 100 hours - this is normally completed within 3 months unless specified by the court. This is a punishment by the court and can be imposed without requesting a social work report
• Level 2: 101 to 300 hours - this is a direct alternative to custody and is normally completed within 6 months unless specified by the court. This order requires a justice social work report to inform sentencing.

Types of unpaid work

Our justice social work service ensures that unpaid work benefits Renfrewshire’s communities. 

It also provides a learning experience for the offender to positively connect them to the community they may have harmed.

The types of work carried out includes:

• litter picking
• clearing and maintaining walkways, public routes, and cycle paths
• clearing snow
• painting and decorating community projects
• joinery activities
• environmental projects
• gardening
• placements in public, private and charitable organisations
• voluntary activities. 

Other activity

‘Other activity’ can also be provided as part of an unpaid work requirement.

These activities are aimed to help the person to develop helpful skills for the future or support underlying issues that lead to their offending behaviour. 

Other activities must be agreed with a supervising officer and can include personal and practical support, training, and interventions aimed to improve their personal circumstances. 

The maximum time allowed is 30 hours or less if under 100 hours is imposed.

How unpaid work is assigned

The person is assessed by our justice social work service for their general suitability to carry out unpaid work prior to court sentencing. 

Before starting a placement, a further suitability assessment is carried out and the person is matched to a suitable and available placement. 

How to request unpaid work for your community

Unpaid work can be requested by anyone in the community. 

It must directly benefit the wider community and not replace anything that is normally paid work.

To request unpaid work to help in your area, contact our justice social work service by:

• email unpaidworkjobreferrals@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

How to provide unpaid work placements

We welcome any requests or offers for potential new placements for those subject to unpaid work. 

If you're a not for profit, charity, community group or social enterprise and feel you provide unpaid work placements, contact our justice social work service by:

• email unpaidworkjobreferrals@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

All new placements require certain checks which our team can discuss with you, including health and safety, and disclosure checks. 

You can also tell us if you have any feedback on existing projects.

How to contact us

If you want to find out more, share your experiences, or discuss what services are available to you, contact our justice social work service by:

What happens if diversion from prosecution is granted

If you’re considered suitable for diversion, our justice social work service can work with you for up to 3 months to focus on any personal circumstances or any other issues which may be leading you to offend.

During this time, the Procurator Fiscal will defer a decision on prosecution while they wait for the outcome of this intervention.

The service completes an assessment report if you have been referred for diversion.

Once complete, our service shares a report with the Procurator Fiscal commenting on the work you have done and the commitment you have showed.

If the actions you have taken are likely to prevent or reduce future offending, the Procurator Fiscal will usually divert you from prosecution for the alleged offence.

If the service report believes you have not made satisfactory progress, the Procurator Fiscal may decide to progress with prosecution.

More information

If you want to find out more or discuss what services are available to you, contact our justice social work service by:

In some cases, the Procurator Fiscal may decide to divert a case for social work intervention.

This is when a person is referred to our justice social work service to address the causes of their offending behaviour instead of a criminal prosecution being pursued.

Diversion may be considered in cases involving young people or first offenders for minor offences, or where it is decided by the Procurator Fiscal that it is not in the public interest for a prosecution.

Its aim is to prevent people entering the justice system unnecessarily and to prevent further offending.

What bail and bail supervision is

After an arrest and appearance at court, the court may decide that an accused person is suitable to be released on bail or bail supervision.

Bail and bail supervision serve different purposes in the legal process.

Bail is a legal condition that allows an accused person to remain in the community while awaiting trial, provided they comply with certain conditions.

Bail supervision is a social work or third sector service that supports individuals to comply with the conditions of their bail. This often involves regular meetings with a bail supervisor to monitor compliance and provide necessary support.

If bail is granted, the person is released on certain conditions until a further appearance at court.

Our justice social work service may be asked to provide an assessment for bail suitability and bail supervision. This would involve interviewing the accused person to discuss their current circumstances, including family, employment, and accommodation details.

The aim of the service is to reduce the number of accused people held in custody on remand, provided any potential risks can be managed safely outside of prison.

The service provides updates to the court on the person’s compliance with the conditions of their supervised bail.

What happens if bail supervision is granted

If you’re accused of a crime and given bail supervision, you must agree to follow support and monitoring, and any other conditions imposed by the court.

You will make a minimum of 3 contacts each week with your bail supervision officer – or another worker outlined in your conditions – for the first month. This will reduce to 1 contact per week as a minimum.
 

What happens if bail or bail supervision conditions are broken

If you do not follow the bail conditions set by the court, the court will be advised and you could be remanded to prison.

More information

If you want to find out more or discuss what services are available to you, contact our justice social work service by: