Probation Service – Young Persons Probation (2019 data)

A.     Service overview and contact details

Focus of restorative justice activities

The Probation Service is the lead State agency in the assessment and management of offenders in the community. Young Persons Probation (YPP), a dedicated operational region in the Probation Service, was established to meet the specific needs of young people referred by the courts for assessment and supervision and to fulfil statutory obligations under the Children Act 2001. Restorative justice models of intervention are delivered as part of the overall objective to address harmful behaviour and increase awareness of the victim perspective. YPP provides a family/restorative conference service for young people who commit an offence on request from the courts and as part of its supervision of offenders. The Probation Service also provides restorative justice interventions for adults, more information about which can be found on the other profile.

Year of commencement

2006

Service details

Young Persons Probation

Probation Service

Haymarket, Smithfield

D07 WT27

Website:  www.probation.ie

Email:  psinfo@probation.ie

Tel:  (+353) (0)1 817 3600

Head of service (region)

Olivia Keaveney

Regional Manager

oxkeaveney@probation.ie

Staffing structure

Young Persons Probation (YPP) is a Region of the Probation Service with national oversight. There are four dedicated teams – Dublin North, Dublin South, Limerick/Clare and Cork. In other areas, community teams with mixed caseloads, working with both adults and children, provide a distinct approach and tailored responses for young people and their families.

Staff training in restorative justice

In addition to the training received by Probation Officers generally as identified in the profile on the Probation Service’s use of restorative justice with adults, Probation Officers working in YPP are trained in restorative conferencing that is accredited by the International Institute for Restorative practices. The training is delivered in conjunction with staff from Le Chéile and Céim ar Chéim, partner community-based projects.

Use of volunteers

Not applicable in Probation context.

Volunteer training

Not applicable

Main source(s) of funding

Funding for YPP is included in the annual Probation Service budget provided by the Department of Justice.

Annual budget

Budget for 2020 – €48.936m (overall Probation Service).

Nature of funding

Annual funding from the Department of Justice.

Organisational status

The Probation Service is a state agency located in the Department of Justice. YPP forms a distinct Region of the Probation Service.

Target client group

Children and young people between the ages of 12 and 18 who are referred for assessment and supervision by the courts and young people who are subject to periods of detention. Interventions with young people can extend beyond 18 years into young adulthood.

Nature of offences

Broad range of offences, notably:

  • Public Order/Damage to Property
  • Theft
  • Burglary
  • Assault
  • Drug related offences

Source of cases

All referrals for family conferences under Section 78 of the Children Act emanate from the Children Court. Restorative interventions in the form of conferences also take place as part of Probation Service supervision.

Geographic area of activity

National remit

B.     Nature of RJ service

Model(s) of RJ services provided

  1. Family Conferences
  2. Restorative Conferences
  3. Other – Restorative Practice

Main process elements and short description of each model that the service provides

Family Conferences: The Children Court may direct that a Family Conference be convened (Section 78, Children Act 2001) which will lead to engagement with a child and their family by the Probation Service for a period of six months. The family conference takes place at the stage when a young person is charged with an offence and appears in court, if:

  • the young person accepts responsibility;
  • the court considers an action plan desirable; and
  • the child and child’s family agree to participate.

If these requirements are met, the family conference is held within 28 days.

The conference attempts to bring together the victim, the young offender, the young offender’s family and relevant others to talk about the offence and its effects on the victim, the community and the young person’s family. It also explores ways that the offender can take responsibility, make amends and develop an agreed plan that will support the young person in choosing positive and prosocial activities that can assist in diversion from pathways to crime.

Restorative conferences can also be conducted as a component of assessment and/or supervision of young people, initiated by a Probation Officer in the course of their work. Victims may be invited to attend. These conferences can be utilised as part of court ordered supervision to support the young person to understand and address the harm caused by their behaviour. The conference will assist in developing and tailoring a plan for the ongoing supervision of a child in conjunction with the child their family and significant others.

Restorative practice: In addition to delivering conferencing, YPP has developed and embedded a Restorative practice approach in its engagement with young people and their families. Essentially, Restorative practice expands upon the values and principles of restorative justice.

Number and nature of cases (2019/2020)             

In 2019, seven family conferences took place under section 78 of the Children Act 2001, compared with 23 in both 2018 in 2017. Over the two years 2019/2020, Probation Service staff held another seven restorative interventions as part of their supervision of offenders.

Number and nature of cases

Case classification

Family Conferences

– Courts (S.78)

(2019)

Restorative Conferences

– Probation Supervision (2019/20

Total cases 7 7
   – family conference 7 4
   – bespoke 0 2
   – shuttle mediation 0 1
Cases completed 4 7
Cases incomplete 3 0
Cases with victim participation 2 4
   – direct 0 3
   – indirect 2 1
Cases without victim participation 1 3
Cases with community participation 2 n.a.
Cases without community participation 1 n.a.

 

Case Profiles

Offence type

Case classification

Family Conferences

– Courts (S. 78)

Restorative Conferences  – Probation Supervision
Offence type    
   – assault n.a. 5
   – property n.a. 1
   – public order n.a. 1
   – animal cruelty n.a. 1

Cases could include more than one offence

 

Age and gender

Age

Family Conferences

– Courts (S. 78)

Restorative Conferences  – Probation Supervision
   – 14 1
   – 16 2
   – 17 4
   Total u/18 7 7
Gender    
   – male n.a. 7
   – female n.a. 0

 

Case outcomes

Outcome

Family Conferences

– Courts (S. 78)

Restorative Conferences  – Probation Supervision
Disposal under Probation of Offenders Act (DPOA) 2
Strike out 4 3
Adjourned 2
Probation supervision (following pre-sanction report in light of new considerations) 3
Total 7 7

 

C.     Sources of further information

Websites

Annual Reports

Strategies