Outcomes Focused & Evidence
Based/Informed Approaches in Garda
Youth Diversion Projects
Sue Redmond, Best Practice Unit Manager
Bernie Meally, Senior Youth Officer for GYDP’s BPI
Agenda
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Background
Outcomes Focus
Evidence-based/informed practice
Changing Habits & Reaching Targets
GYDP-BPI
A Life of Choices
Evaluation Training
Background
• Foróige
• The Atlantic Philanthropies
• The Best Practice Unit
Outcomes Focus
What do we want?
Logic Model
Conversation -Process & Outcomes
Evidence Based/Informed
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Literature reviews
Conceptual models
Theoretical underpinning
Educational theorists
Adolescent Development
Risk & Needs Assessment
Logic Model
Evaluation
Influencing the Wider Sector
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Department of Children & Youth Affairs
Irish Youth Justice Service
National Youth Council of Ireland
National University of Ireland, Galway
Outcomes Focused Service Design
CHART
CHART
Changing Habits And Reaching Targets
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Cognitive Behavioural 1-1 tool
15-20 minute sessions
Based on Principles of Effective Interventions & “What Works”
Focus on offending behaviour
User-friendly
Age-appropriate
Linked to Case Management and Risk Assessment
Structured
6 core modules, 6 discretionary modules
Certificate on completion of core & discretionary
Modules
Core Modules
Elective Modules
Introduction (1)
Module 1: Offence Mapping (2)
Module 2: Motivation to Change (3)
Module 3: Offending Thinking (2)
Module 4: Problem Solving (3)
Module 5: Lifestyle Balance (3)
Module 6: Relapse Prevention Plan (1)
Two sessions for each discretionary
module
Module 7: Healthy Relationships
Module 8: Violence
Module 9: Motor Vehicle Offending
Module 10: Drugs & Alcohol
Module 11: Living Independently
Module 12: Education and Work
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A Life of Choices
BBBS-JUMP
‘Sharing the load’
‘Someone to lean on’
GYDP Best Practice Initiative
• Partnership between Irish Youth Justice
Service and Foróige with support from An
Garda Síochána
• Part of the IYJS change programme in line with
the National Youth Justice Strategy (20082010) and the baseline analysis of GYDP’s
• Aims to develop and support best practice
across the network of 102 GYDP’s
• Mix of training, consultancy, Trial site
support...
Trial Sites
• Develop an Irish service model for the best possible
outcomes for young people involved in offending
behaviour
• 14 sites in total, 5 in 2009/2010 and 9 in 2011
• Tailored to particular strengths & needs
• Analysis of youth crime, identification of outcomes,
development of appropriate responses & targeting
• Team approach
• Facilitated meetings, intelligence from An Garda
Síochána, exploration of relevant research literature
& Outcomes Focused Programme Design Training
(Logic model)
Evaluation
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Focus groups
Process and outcomes evaluated
Tailor made so experiences were different
Key themes
Predominantly positive
Areas for consideration highlighted
Clearer Outcomes & Increased
Focus
• Based on the youth crime analysis
• Greater insight into needs and issues
• Outcomes based on behaviour’s and
circumstances in medium term
• More focused and effective interventions
• Improved targeting
• Better outcomes for participants
Improved Co-operation
Team approach resulted in:
• Improved relationships
• More focused discussions
• Shared understanding
• Decreased isolation
Improved Evidence Ease
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Garda intelligence
Local professional knowledge
Research- local & international
Positive learning experience
Improved ability to articulate
what we do & why we do it
• Increased honesty with young people, families,
the community and selves
• Challenged to articulate positions and justify
decisions through process
• Reflect critically on past practices
• Recognition of capabilities and limitations
• Will improve perceptions of GYDP in community
Change in project activities
• In some cases a complete restructuring
• Shift of focus from one area to another
Sense of achievement, increased
confidence, renewed enthusiasm
& motivation
Time
• Significant amount of time
• Essential to make space
• But time well spent
Trial Site Process Informed
Developments for all GYDP’s
• Focus on evidence based/informed practice
• Planning for Success tutorials
• Outcomes Focused Programme Design (Logic
Model) Training for all GYDP’s
• Outcomes Focused Annual Planning
• Improvement in number of exemplary Annual
plans
A Life of Choices
A resource for GYDP’s which enables
facilitators to explore crime and offending
behaviour with young people with the aim of
equipping participants with the knowledge
and skills to engage in pro-social behaviour,
make positive life choices and ultimately
reduce the level/frequency of their offending.
Theories underpinning A life of
Choices
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Cognitive Behavioural Theory
Motivational Interviewing
Experiential learning
Transtheoretical Model of Change
Participant Outcomes
By the end of the programme participants will display:
• Enhanced social skills and
communication skills
• An appreciation for the
influence of their peers
• Enhanced ability to deal
with their anger
• Problem solving and
conflict resolution skills
• An understanding of their
offending behaviour
• Identification of their
core values
• Improved decision
making
• Motivation to change
behaviour
• Enhanced empathy and
impulsivity control
• An increase in pro-social
behaviours
• A reduction in pro-crime
attitudes
• An understanding of why
the law exists
Pre-manual Stage
• Develop group contract
• Establish group norms
• Build relationships and trust
Before use of A Life of Choices
A Life of Choices Manual Framework
A Life of Choices Manual Framework
A Life of Choices Manual Framework
Evaluation Training
• Evaluation training carried out by NUIG
• Qualitative and Quantitative tools to assess
their work
• Focus on Assessment tools
• Staff carry out a pre and post assessment on a
programme of their choosing
To Consider
• What informs/drives your work forward?
• What do you do that is the same or different?
• What benefits/challenges do you see from this
approach?