Tackling Challenging Behaviour

Children Detention Schools

June 27th 2014Birmingham

DA Tony O’Donovan Jackie LeonardChild Welfare Advisor Unit Manager CDS

Mission Statement

"To create a safer society by working in partnership to reduce youth offending through appropriate interventions and linkages into services".

Irish Youth Justice Service

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

Youth Justice Action Plan- 5 high level goals

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

StatisticsSchool Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average OccupancyOBS 18 11 30 12 OBS 6 23 38 16THS 26 0 26 10 THS 32 1 44 11OGS 6 32* 39 5 OGS 2 0 40 6FCAC 8 ** 30 12 FCAC 0 0 1 7*Total 58 11 125 39 Total 40 24 123 33*one incident of grade 1 *FCAC closed on 31st March 2010**only grade 3 are recorded

School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average OccupancyOBS 8 7 27 16 OBS 22 5 39 14THS 39 0 55 16 THS 27 0 31 11OGS 5 3 26 5 OGS 4 5 8 4Total 52 10 108 37 Total 53 10 78 29

NB: The age range for the boys was increased to include 16 year olds on the 1st May 2012

School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average Occupancy School Physical Restraint Grade 2 or above Serious Incidents Average OccupancyOBS 19 4 54 19 OBS 0 0 6 17THS 22 0 23 15 THS 3 0 3 14OGS 0 0 0 1 OGS 0 0 0 2Total 41 4 77 35 Total 3 0 9 33

2009

2011

2013

2010

2012

2014 up to the end of March

What Stats Tell Us

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