The State Hospital Service Social Work

The State Hospital is one of four high secure hospitals in the UK. Based in South Lanarkshire, it provides a national service for Scotland and Northern Ireland. The hospital supports people with high secure care needs and focuses on rehabilitation and safe transfer to lower levels of security.

Support for patients

Our Social Work team works with patients and their families to promote rights, recovery, and mental wellbeing. We engage with patients before admission and throughout treatment, rehabilitation, and preparation for moving on from high secure care.

As part of the multi‑disciplinary team, we provide:

• advice, emotional support, and practical help
• links to local services, including liaison with the patient’s Mental Health Officer
• input to assessment, care planning, and treatment
• statutory reports for the Mental Health Tribunal Service and the Parole Board

Each patient has an allocated social worker for the duration of their stay.

Support for families and carers

We provide information, advice, and practical support to families and carers. This includes guidance on carers’ rights and help to access local services when needed.

We assess and advise on child contact arrangements and work with partner agencies to support safe family contact where this is in the child’s best interests.

Mental Health Officers

Our service includes trained Mental Health Officers who can act on behalf of patients from outside Scotland and support the hospital to meet its statutory duties.

Safeguarding

We also provide safeguarding support for child and adult protection within the hospital. Staff are trained as Appropriate Adults and can support police interviews when required. We work closely with local and national MAPPA partners on public protection matters.

Cost

The service is free for patients, families, and carers.

How to access the service

All patients are allocated a social worker on admission. Families and carers can contact the allocated social worker or the duty social worker directly.

Sharing information

Personal information is managed in line with data protection legislation. Information is shared only where there is a lawful basis to do so.

Contact us

Social Work Service, The State Hospital
Carstairs, Lanark ML11 8RP
Phone: 01555 842146

Emergency Social Work (out of hours): 0303 123 1008
Mental Welfare Commission: 0800 389 6809
Patient Advocacy Service: 01555 842078

More information is available on The State Hospital website.