Supervised Attendance Orders
What is a supervised attendance order?
This is a disposal which allows the court to order a person of
18 years of age or more to undertake various activities in the
community in cases where the court is considering custody for
non-payment of a fine (not compensation). This Order takes the
place of an outstanding fine. A Supervised Attendance Order cancels
out a fine.
Orders can be from 10 hours to 100 hours in duration dependent
on the amount of fine outstanding.
If you are the carer of a child please note that it is your
responsibility to ensure that adequate childcare arrangements are made to enable
you to complete the hours.
When is a supervised attendance order made?
When you are fined, the court may give you a set time to pay the
fine or set an amount to be paid on a regular basis. This payment
may be made on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis according to
your means and according to what the court considers that you can
afford.
Should you fail to pay the fine, or any instalment as instructed
by the court, you will be required to appear before a Means Enquiry
Court where you will be expected to explain why you have failed to
pay the fine or instalment. It is open to the Court to change
the repayment order, particularly if you can satisfy the court that
you are having difficulty meeting the terms of the Order.
The Court can also impose an alternative sentence of
imprisonment to take effect immediately, or at some future date
should you default in paying the fine or instalments. Instead
of imposing an alternative of imprisonment the court may decide to
make a Supervised Attendance Order.
The court can also do this if it is satisfied that you are
unable to pay the fine or instalments and you are present in
court. Alternatively, the court could give you further time to
pay the fine but impose a Supervised Attendance Order to take
effect at a later date if you fail to pay any instalment.
What work is involved?
The Supervised Attendance Order is administered and supervised
by Criminal Justice section of Social Work on behalf of the
court. It is the responsibility of Criminal Justice Services to
organise the right sort of activities for you.
Issues such as debt awareness, money issues, welfare rights and
employment guidance will be covered during core module sessions
within the initial 10 hours of the Order. Alcohol and drug
related problems can be tackled as may learning practical
skills such as joinery and computing. Also, you may be
required to do varied unpaid work which is of the benefit
of the community, e.g. working within a charity shop or assisting
in painting, decorating, gardening etc.
The Supervising Officer responsible for your case will discuss
with you the nature of the activities to be undertaken and will
thereafter issue you with instructions to attend a place of
supervision.
What are the rules?
As with other court orders, such as Community Service and Probation, there are a number of conditions you
have to meet. These are:
- To attend the place of supervision for the number of hours
specified by the court and at the time given by your supervising
officer.
- To obey the instructions of your supervising officer.
- To report to your supervising officer as directed.
- To notify your supervising officer without delay of any change
of address.
- To notify your supervising officer without delay of any change
of job or hours of work.
- To carry out instructions in a satisfactory manner.
Absences must be supported either by a medical certificate or by
evidence from your employer. They must also be reported to your
supervising officer immediately.
In addition to these standard conditions there are a number of
other conditions.
- No alcohol, solvents or drugs may be consumed, unless medically
prescribed, whilst undertaking Supervised Attendance.
- You must comply with instructions given on health and safety
issues.
- You are not allowed to use or carry mobile phones during your
contracted working time.
- You must complete your Order within 12 months, but where
possible within a 12-20 week period.
What happens if I fail to follow these conditions?
If you fail to meet any of the above conditions the Social Work
Officer has the power to return your Order to court. If this
happens, and the court is satisfied that you have failed to meet
any of the conditions that have been set it can revoke the
Supervised Attendance Order and impose a period of imprisonment. It
is also open to the court to let the Order run and vary the number
of hours you were originally ordered to work.
Quick guide
Supervised Attendance Orders are for people who cannot or will
not pay their court ordered fines.
The fine ceases to exist when a Supervised Attendance Order is
given.
Supervised Attendance does not apply to Compensation Orders.
