Young Person’s Probation.

“Promoting and Enhancing Youth Employability”.

ESF Conference Celebrating 60 Years of Investing in People.

YOUNG PERSONS PROBATION

Working in and with the Community. Probation Service’s responsibilities and duties in the

Children Act 2001.

In 2016, 725 children were referred by the Courts.

In 2016, 1551 young persons referred by the Courts.

Provide better options for young persons.

Engaging with children and young people in a supportive manner.

Detention of young people should be a last resort.

In most cases community sanctions are more effective and more lasting.

Needs of Young Offenders.

Many young offenders come from difficult and

disadvantaged backgrounds.

Many young persons have fallen out of the

education, training or employment structures.

Many have complex needs such as alcohol or drug

problems, literacy skills, homeless, mental health

and lack of social skills.

Young offenders require a broad range of support

and assistance in the community if they are to

make better choices.

Community Based Organisations, CBOs

YPP works in collaboration with 18 Community Based Organisations who deliver interventions and programmes to young offenders.

Total funding over €5m in 2017.

YPP projects develop and deliver services to young offendersin their communities.

Services include training and education, offender management programmes, and mentoring.

Support young people in making positive changes in their life.

Supports make it more likely that these young persons will not reoffend, and will end up contributing to their families and communities.

ESF Funded YPP Projects.

4 YPP projects are funded under ESF Programme for Employability Inclusion and Learning.

Le Chéile a volunteer mentoring and family support service.

Céim ar Chéim situated in Moyross on the north side of Limerick City.

Southill Outreach project which engages with and supports young offenders, from the areas of Limerick city and county, Co. Clare and North Tipperary.

Dóchas don Óige in Galway. The project provides FETAC accredited Education and Training course to the young adults/children.

Le Chéile

Mentoring programme is a one-to-one relationship-

based support service.

Reductions in offending behaviour.

Reductions in alcohol and drug use.

Greater involvement in activities outside the

home.

Greater involvement or reengagement in

education, work and training (25% of participants).

Dóchas don Óige

Dóchas don Óige are an YPP project based in

Galway.

Collaborate with Education Trust Boards to provide

Education/Training/FETAC courses to participants.

The Project caters for over 20 young people per

year.

Participant recently graduated from GMIT.

Work Experience programme.

Southill Outreach

Southill Outreach engage and support young

offenders in developing positive pro-social life styles.

Catchment area is Limerick city and county, Co. Clare

and North Tipperary.

Project works with an average of 50 clients each year.

Encourage progression and development of young

people using a strengths-based approach.

Drive Programme – Best Documentary Award.

Photographic exhibition.

Céim ar Chéim

Moving Forward

Step by Step

The European Social Fund

Celebrating 60 Years of

Investing in People

28th November 2017

Who we are! Céim ar Chéim is a Community based Education & Training Day Centre

Funded by the Probation Service/Irish Youth Justice Service, and the European

Social Fund.

The centre is also assisted by Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board

providing 12 teachers (5934 teaching hours),

Limerick Training Centre provide 24 Trainee Placements.

Limerick City Council Regeneration Office who support the development and

enhancement of programme resources.

Céim ar Chéim operate the following Programmes working with 70-80 young people annually

1. Full-time Day Centre - (15 – 25 years – 36 young people) – 32 hours per week

2. Part-time Evening Programmes - 3 Programmes - (10 – 17 years – 40 young

people)

3. External Support Programmes – 1-1 in community outreach work & in reach

support visiting prisons/detention centres – Approx 10 young people each

year.

4. Outward Bound & Recreational Activities – 76 young people

5. Aftercare Programme – 15 – 20 young people each year

6. Host Agency – Restorative Practices Project Limerick

7. Summer Provision – 12- 25years – 105 young people

8. 1-1 Keywork with Young People and outreach work linking with families

Referrals originate from Limerick City & County & County Clare.

They are referred by:

• Probation Service.

• Detention Centres, temporary release prisoners.

• Young offenders referred through Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers

and/or community Gardaí.

• Referrals from Health Service Executive, Education & Welfare

Board & other relevant authorities.

• Other community agencies supporting young people at risk.

Background/complex issues with Young People

Living in a socially disadvantaged area as recently highlighted

in the recently released deprivation indices

Homelessness

Care History and Family Relationships

Grief & Loss

Substance Abuse

Education/Training or Employment

Trauma

Experience of violent crimes and high levels of anti-social and gangland crimes.

Maturity – capacity to self regulate &/or reason

Challenges associated with Young Offenders.

Poor physical health

Mental Health & Emotional Difficulties-(Regulation & Literacy)

Lack of basic communication & social skills

Access to supports/entitlements and relevant services

Access to extra curricular amenities

Poor academic attainment

Learning Difficulties/Disabilities

Behavioural Difficulties – anti-social attitudes, anger management, low levels of empathy.

Poor social networks – friends/family and community gangs.

Drug & Alcohol Usage

Gambling

Ethos/Approach

Céim ar Chéim (Step by Step) is a caring educational environment

that aims to deliver the highest quality & standard of care.

A deliberate emphasis on creating a positive, strength’s based

approach to education and care.

Restorative Centre, fully embedding the principles and practice of

Restorative Practices to all elements of work

Approach

• Provide individuals with appropriate structure & support – identify areas of support required from induction.

• Focus on physical and emotional wellbeing – the project have doctors & a dentist that look after the physical needs of young people. Keyworkers support young people to pay attention to their physical wellbeing and support their attendance to appointments.

• Ensuring medical card & social welfare entitlements are in place.

• Working with Limerick City & County Council re housing applications etc.

• Onsite counsellor 2 days per week – offering 1 to 1 & group counselling.

• Onsite special needs co-ordinator that assess on entry how each individual learns, their levels of ability, strengths and any educational assessments or needs required.

• Individual Educational & Personal Development Plan designed for each young person.

• 1-1 Keywork System in place supporting all aspects of the young persons progression while on the programme.

Programme Content• Social Hour 9.00a.m – 10.00a.m. enables staff to interact and assess

individual participant’s behaviour & mood.

• Providing newspapers and breakfast to stimulate social interaction &

discussion.

• Restorative Circles each morning & afternoon

• Classes begin at 10.00am – 4.00p.m

• Daily outreach calls – re attendance & weekly outreach calls by

keyworkers to affirm positive progression and deal with any issues.

• Asset based model of education

• Ownership – participants have a voice & choice within the curriculum

• Positive Behaviour Policy Staff & Students

Programme Content contd.: Nurture & Facilitate expression of feelings

Focus on Behaviours not the individual

Use of positive language and positive reinforcement

Specific Behaviour Modification Techniques

Restorative approaches to dealing with any challenging behaviour

Consistent & predictable approach by staff

Individual Education Plans and weekly short term goal reviews

Support in Work Experience – (6 Weeks over 2 Years & 2 Weeks

Voluntary Community Placement)

Court support and explanation of system to families

Education & Training

All programmes delivered offer academic accreditation througheither Leaving Certificate Applied (Department of Education) or QQI.

Education & Training modules include:QQI – Levels 1-4Pathways Programme – focusing on Soft Skills DevelopmentPersonal Development ProgrammesTransition Year ProgrammeLeaving Certificate AppliedDriver TheorySafe Pass/Manual Handling/First AidHealth & Safety Authority Safety in the Workplace Digital BadgesVocational Preparation & Guidance & Work Experience Programme

Promoting & Enhancing Youth EmployabilityAs part of the preparation for moving youth into employment the project offers the following to all students: Vocational Preparation & Guidance – 5 Classes per week Personal Development & Soft Skills Programmes Work Experience Programme – 6 weeks Community Voluntary Experience – 2 weeks Driver Theory Test & support towards lessons Safe Pass/Manual Handling/First Aid Health & Safety Authority Safety in the Workplace Digital Badges Registration with Local Employment Services CV Preparation & Interview Skills Programme Employability Skills Programme

Programme subjects include:• Communications & Maths

for life

• Information & Digital Technology

• Art & Design & Craft Ceramics

• Woodwork

• Hotel Catering & Tourism

• Social Education

• Irish/French

• Health Related Fitness & Outdoor Pursuits

• Music/Dance/Drama

• Offender Behaviour

Modules – Choice & Challenge Programme

• Restorative Practice/Justice Modules

• Personal Effectiveness & Interpersonal Skills

• Ways to Wellbeing Programme

• Vocational Preparation & Guidance

• Driving Theory Test/Safe Pass/Manual Handling/First Aid

• Support & Awareness Programmes – Individual Needs basis

• GAISCE Awards

Aftercare

On completion of their programme of accredited training and personal development participants are offered further support through aftercare for a period of 24 months. This support can be through the provision of:

• Support in registration with local employment services• Support in further training or 3rd level education.• Support in employment.• Support in accessing external services etc.

The project will support a student in 3rd level for as long as is required. Evening tutorial support, is offered and supported by third level students from Limerick Institute of Technology Social Care Department & University of Limerick. Any training run within the centre is offered to students in Aftercare to improve employment prospects.

Progressions & Outcomes

“If I had to offer advice to anyone who took the path I took, I would tell them it’s not worth it. I learnt the hardway, and spent 18 months in St. Patrick's Institute in Dublin from the age of 15. When I got out I was lucky to be sent to a special helpful place like Céim ar Chéim. They helped me get my life back on track. I will be forever grateful for this programme believing and trusting in me even when I didn’t believe in myself”

“Céim ar Chéim gave me my life back, and my relationship with my mother. They taught me the importance of education. Its not just a place that teaches you subjects, it teaches you who you are and what you can be. Its now 14 years later and my child never misses school. She is now doing her Junior Cert and College is part of what she expects in her life”

“I believe Céim ar Chéim helped me choose the right path in Life. I always had a negative outlook, but being surrounded by such positive people helped that change for me. I’M NOW ONE OF THEM. I have developed a lot of skills both academically and socially. During my time as a student I gained confidence in my abilities and now believe in myself to achieve whatever goal I set going forward in my future”.

“Céim ar Chéim gave me the second chance for education as I left school at a young age. I now have my Leaving Certificate completed and I also developed skills to prepare me to get a job. This second chance gave me the opportunity and confidence to seek employment and I am so happy to say that I now work for the project that gave me this chance”