1. Ms Michelle Shannon National Director, Irish Youth Justice Service Irish Youth Justice Service Conference 2010 www.iyjs.ie Achievements to date and vision for the future

2. 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

3. Mission Statement “To create a safer society by working in partnership to reduce youth offending through appropriate interventions and linkages into services”

4. National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010 Strategy spans all parts of the youth justice system from diversion to detention. Taking a critical look at How to engage key players How we deliver services How we can improve outcomes

5. National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010 5 High Level Goals 1.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

6. 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

7. Service Delivery Government decision to develop national detention school services at Oberstown Detention Integration Strategy HIQA inspections Improvements in operation of GYDPs

8. 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

9. 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