Salford Fellow leads FASD programme to aid understanding in justice settings

The programme, known as SalfordFASD Education and Training for Justice Professionals (SAFETrac), was led by Dr David Junior Gilbert in collaboration with the Salford FASD team, including Alan Price, Tania Goddard and Uzma Naseem, and individuals with lived experience of FASD. The SalfordFASD team, led by Prof. Penny Cook is the largest in Europe researching FASD, and this pilot is the first programme of its kind in the UK to focus on FASD within the justice system.

SAFETrac was designed to increase awareness of FASD and strengthen trauma-informed practice, and was piloted to 20 Bury probation staff over a nine-month period, in a bid to introduce practical approaches to screening and supporting individuals who may be affected by the condition. Further to this pilot with Bury Probation Service, the program has been delivered to crown court judges, police officers, court intermediaries and over 70 magistrates and 50 solicitors in the United Kingdom.

FASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition caused by alcohol exposure in the womb, and can affect memory, learning, communication, emotional regulation and daily functioning. FASD is a significant issue among the population, and is likely to be as common as autism, despite rarely being diagnosed. Research suggests that FASD is overrepresented within the criminal justice system, yet often goes unrecognised and consequently, many individuals may not receive the support necessary to engage well with support services and rehabilitation programmes.

The training programme was structured around three stages to encourage learning, reflection and implementation in practice. Throughout the programme, participants completed evaluation questionnaires to assess changes in knowledge, confidence and practice, the findings of which will help to determine whether this kind of FASD-informed and trauma-aware training, coupled with screening, can help to improve identification of FASD within probation services.

Jordanna Pitchford, Senior Probation Officer at Bury Probation, said, “Supporting our people on probation with lived experience is something we are striving to deliver.

“Having further input from Dr Gilbert and his team in terms of intervention work for individuals with FASD has equipped our practitioners with the knowledge and skills required to enable effective support for those individuals.

“The work undertaken by the team has positively influenced how we deliver services to the 700-800 clients we serve each year. 

“We would be very happy to continue to support Dr Gilbert’s work.”

Reflecting on the project, Gilbert said, “Improving understanding of FASD within justice settings is essential to ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive fair and appropriate support.

“The programme represents an important step towards creating a more neurodevelopmentally-informed and trauma-aware justice system.

“By combining academic expertise, professional insight, and lived experience, the initiative has demonstrated how collaborative working can strengthen frontline practice and improve outcomes for individuals affects by FASD.”

(Pictured below: Dr David Junior Gilbert)