ECOS work across the whole of Essex to provide specialist community-based support to meet the needs of adults (aged 18 and over) –

• with a confirmed diagnosis of learning disability;

and/or

• with a confirmed diagnosis of autism;

and who either

• have a conviction for an offence
• have had an allegation of offending made against them
• are considered to be at significant risk of offending
• present a risk of serious harm to the public

The core function of ECOS is to reduce or safely manage the behaviour of people with a learning disability and/or autism that may put members of the public at risk, and would thereby otherwise lead to contact with the criminal justice system or admission to a secure hospital.

The work we undertake includes:

• Forensic risk assessment and management of risk in the community to ensure public safety and the safety of the individual.
• Delivery of offence-specific therapeutic interventions (e.g. to prevent sexual/violent offences).
• Case management of the most complex cases.
• Support, training and consultancy to other teams, organisations and care providers to ensure that the needs of this population are being met.
• In-reach support to achieve smooth and effective discharge from secure inpatient settings to the community.