Criminal justice social work report

A criminal justice social work report is prepared by a council social worker to help the court decide on the right sentence.

A criminal justice social work report, a type of pre-sentence report, is written by a local authority justice social worker after a person pleads guilty or is found guilty and the court adjourns the case for reports. The social worker usually interviews the person and looks at their background and circumstances, the offence, its impact, the risk of reoffending and whether a community sentence would be suitable. The court must normally obtain one before imposing a community payback order, before sending someone aged 21 or over to prison for the first time, and before sentencing someone under 21 to detention. It is important to attend the appointments, because the report can affect which sentencing options the court considers. The judge decides the sentence, not the social worker.

Checked as at 25 September 2026. General information only, not legal advice.