Tackling Challenging
Behaviour
Children Detention Schools
June 27th 2014
Birmingham
DA Tony O’Donovan
Child Welfare Advisor
Jackie Leonard
Unit Manager CDS
Irish Youth Justice Service
Mission Statement
"To create a safer society by working in
partnership to reduce youth offending
through appropriate interventions and
linkages into services".
Youth Justice Action Plan
- 5 high level goals

Leadership and build public confidence in youth justice system

Reduce offending

Community sanctions and initiatives

Safe and secure environment for detained
children, assisting re-integration into the
community

Information and data sources in the youth justice system
Background

Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS)/Dept.
Children & Youth Affairs (DCYA)

Children Detention Schools (CDS)

Present Structures - Unification of a Campus

Staff Body (Qualifications/Experience)

Policy Development
Physical Restraint Systems

Review of Existing System




1983 – 1987 (Self-Defense Training – Police)
1987 – 1991 (C&R – Prisons)
1991 – 1996 (C&R Services – Mental Health)
1996 – 2008 (TCI)
Review

Review of Behaviour Management (2008)





Child Welfare Advisor
CDS Management & Staff
CPI
Beginning of Review Process
Nearly 2 year Process
Problems Highlighted






Lack of Staff Confidence
High Number of Restraints & Injuries
Suitability for Setting
Preparation for Managing Older YP
Greater Resources Required for Training
Consistency Across Campus
Policy Parameters

Must:







Accredited Course
Not Rely on Pain Compliance
Be Resourced at Trainer Level
Be Consistent in Delivery
Stand up to Cross-Examination
Be Adaptable to Environment
Be Developmental in Nature
Development






Working Group
Input from Independent Providers
Review of Existing Programmes
Public Tender for Provision
Awarding of Contract
Development of a ‘Bespoke’ Programme in
Conjunction with CPI
‘Bespoke’ Programme




Acknowledged Experience of Staff &
Trainers
Dichotomy between Security/Care
Different Environments (Old/Newer Units)
Different Staff Perspectives
Obstacles





IR Issues
Implementation Issues
On-going Training
Practice Drill Sessions
Co-ordination of Reporting
Statistics
2009
School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy
OBS
18
11
30
12
THS
26
0
26
10
OGS
6
32*
39
5
FCAC
8
**
30
12
Total
58
11
125
39
*one incident of grade 1
**only grade 3 are recorded
2010
School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy
OBS
6
23
38
16
THS
32
1
44
11
OGS
2
0
40
6
FCAC
0
0
1
7*
Total
40
24
123
33
*FCAC closed on 31st March 2010
2011
School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy
OBS
8
7
27
16
THS
39
0
55
16
OGS
5
3
26
5
Total
52
10
108
37
2012
School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy
OBS
22
5
39
14
THS
27
0
31
11
OGS
4
5
8
4
Total
53
10
78
29
NB: The age range for the boys was increased to include 16 year olds on the 1st May 2012
2013
School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy
OBS
19
4
54
19
THS
22
0
23
15
OGS
0
0
0
1
Total
41
4
77
35
School
OBS
THS
OGS
Total
2014 up to the end of March
Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy
0
0
6
17
3
0
3
14
0
0
0
2
3
0
9
33
What Stats Tell Us



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
Overall Drop in Restraints
Drop in Injuries
Ability to Manage Change
Quality of Training
Quality of Staff
Staff Training





Instils Confidence
Teaches More than the Course
Gives Trainers a Sense of Worth
Allows Staff Experience Success
Better Outcome for Young People