Ms Michelle ShannonNational Director, Irish Youth Justice Service

Irish Youth Justice Service Conference 2010www.iyjs.ie

Achievements to date and vision for the future

Why we were established

• Bring about better coordination in the youth justice sector

• Develop policy in the youth justice area

• Manage the children detention schools

• Link in with general children’s policy as set by the OMCYA

Mission Statement

“To create a safer society by working in partnership to reduce youth offending through appropriate interventions and

linkages into services”

“To create a safer society by working in partnership to reduce youth offending through appropriate interventions and

linkages into services”

National Youth Justice Strategy

2008-2010Strategy spans all parts of the youthjustice system from diversion todetention.

Taking a critical look at

• How to engage key players

• How we deliver services

• How we can improve outcomes

National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010

5 High Level Goals1. To provide leadership and build public confidence in the

youth justice system

2. To work to reduce offending by diverting young people from offending behaviour

3. To promote the greater use of community sanctions and initiatives to deal with young people who offend

4. To provide a safe and secure environment for detained children which will assist their early re-integration into the community

5. To strengthen and develop information and data sources in the youth justice system to support more effective policies and services

Engagement of key players

An Garda Síochána• Additional JLOs have been assigned• Worked together to make GYDPs more effective• Garda Case Management System• Youth Justice included in Garda Strategy Statement and Policing Plan 2010

Probation Service• Creation of Young Persons Probation division• Sanctions now available on a nationwide basis

Beyond criminal justice system• HSE: Early provision of child welfare services in the community to young

people at risk• Dept of Education and Science: Development of an education strategy for

children in Detention

An Garda Síochána• Additional JLOs have been assigned• Worked together to make GYDPs more effective• Garda Case Management System• Youth Justice included in Garda Strategy Statement and Policing Plan 2010

Probation Service• Creation of Young Persons Probation division• Sanctions now available on a nationwide basis

Beyond criminal justice system• HSE: Early provision of child welfare services in the community to young

people at risk• Dept of Education and Science: Development of an education strategy for

children in Detention

Service Delivery

• Government decision to develop national detention school services at Oberstown

• Detention Integration Strategy

• HIQA inspections

• Improvements in operation of GYDPs

Improving Outcomes• Ensuring youth workers in GYDPs have

the capacity to deal with complex behaviour

• YJForum• Standardised Assessment Tool• New and upgraded accommodation in the

Children Detention Schools• Restorative Practices

Looking to the future

• Development of new Strategy from 2011 onwards

• Greater use of Restorative Justice

• Dissemination of good practice

• Local youth justice teams

• Continuing to promote alternatives to detention

• More effective programmes for children in detention

• Integrated detention service

• Improving data quality and availability