Juvenile Justice: Criminal & Welfare Concerns Seminar Camden Court Hotel 8 th November /02/20161

Garda Diversion Programme How is it working for Young People? Colette Quinn Director Diversion Programme Children Act /02/20162

Children Act 2001 Part 4 Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme Director of Programme

Mission “An Garda Síochána is committed to the delivery of a quality policing service designed to ensure the protection of children and young people in our community and will do so in a fair and effective manner. We will be particularly sensitive to the needs and rights of children and will endeavour to maintain the highest recognised international standards of behaviour and best practices when dealing with children and young people”.

1.Divert Young People from further offending 2.Alternative to Court 3.No Conviction 21/02/20165

Under 18 years Accept responsibility for offending behaviour 21/02/20166

7

Admission in the best interest of the child Not adverse to the interest of any victim & society 21/02/20168

Referrals:Total – 27,257 Number of Children Referred – 17,986 Admitted to Programme: - 12,899 (72%) 21/02/20169

Community to rear a CHILD? Garda Síochána role – much more that dealing with offending behaviour in isolation of other needs 21/02/201610

Family Background – Young Offenders Family Support High Crime Areas Care of State Once OffPoor or no family support Family members may be criminally active Welfare driven Generally don’t reoffend Young people & parents have indifferent attitude to offending Offending behaviour Assaults Damage to property Time of personal and social experimentation Poor self control Usually out of school Children going missing while in care 21/02/201611

21/02/201612

1.Juvenile Liaison Officer 2.Restorative Justice approach 3.Garda Youth Diversion Projects 4.Interagency /Partnership Working 5.Garda Youth Crime Case Management 21/02/201613

Reduce offending behaviour Promote positive life choices Build better relationship with young people, Gardaí, Victims & Community Provide hope and opportunity for young people 21/02/201614

Where to from here? Continue to utilise the Diversion Programme & Garda Youth Crime Case Management. High Crime Area Care of State Build on Family Support

A 100 YEARS from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the car I drove. BUT The WORLD may be different because I was IMPORTANT in the life of a CHILD. 21/02/201616

Garda Office for Children & Youth Affairs Harcourt Square Dublin 2 Phone: /02/201617