1. Juvenile Justice: Criminal & Welfare Concerns 2001-2011 Seminar Camden Court Hotel 8 th November 2011 18/05/20151

2. Garda Diversion Programme How is it working for Young People? Colette Quinn Director Diversion Programme Children Act 2001 18/05/20152

3. An Garda Síochána Office for Children & Youth Affairs. Garda Children & Youth Strategy 2009-2011 Goal One - A policing service for all children Goal Two - A policing service for children in conflict with the law Goal Three - A policing service for children at risk of harm or in need of assistance

4. 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”.

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

6. 1. Divert Young People from further offending 2. Alternative to Court 3. No Conviction 18/05/20156

7. Under 18 years Accept responsibility for offending behaviour 18/05/20157

8. Admission in the best interest of the child Not adverse to the interest of any victim & society 18/05/20158

9. Referrals:Total – 27,257 Number of Children Referred – 17,986 Admitted to Programme: - 12,899 (72%) 18/05/20159

10. Community to rear a CHILD? Garda Síochána role – much more that dealing with offending behaviour in isolation of other needs 18/05/201510

11. 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 reoffendYoung 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 18/05/201511

12. Juvenile Liaison Officer Restorative Justice approach Garda Youth Diversion Projects Interagency /Partnership Working Garda Youth Crime Case Management 18/05/201512

13. Reduce offending behaviour Promote positive life choices Build better relationship with young people, Gardaí, Victims & Community Provide hope and opportunity for young people 18/05/201513

14. 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

15. 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. 18/05/201515