Young Persons Probation
Young Persons Probation (YPP) is a specialised division of the Probation Service established to work with children and young people aged 12-18 years who come before the Courts or who are in the Children Detention Schools/Centre.
YPP has a Court liaison role, Probation Officers deliver a service to Court through the presentation of reports and taking referrals. Furthermore, they provide appropriate guidance and information relating to the community sanctions. Part of this role also involves working closely with the Irish Youth Justice Service in addition to the Court.
The Children Act, 2001 introduced a wide range of innovative measures that provide a statutory framework for the future development of the juvenile justice system in accordance with modern thinking and best international practice. Consideration is given to the fact that there is no single way of successfully dealing with the problems associated with youth offending and that the approach most likely to be successful is to provide for a wide range of options.
The Children Act 2001 shifts the emphasis away from residential or custodial care to care in the community. Detention becomes the option of last resort.
Young Persons Probation provide the following service to the Courts and to the Children Detention Centre and Schools:
- Pre-Sanction Reports on Young Persons
- Facilitation of Family Conferences
- Supervision of community sanctions involving young persons
