About Us
The Agency
The Youth Justice Agency was launched as an Executive Agency, as recommended in the Criminal Justice Review 2000, on 1 April 2003. It replaced the former Juvenile Justice Board, and is the fourth agency to be established within the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).
The principal aim of the Youth Justice Agency is to reduce youth crime and to build confidence in the youth justice system. The Agency works with children aged 10-17 years who have offended or are at serious risk of offending.
The Agency delivers a range of services, including diversionary interventions through a network of over 20 community-based projects, youth conferencing (a restorative process in which victims have a say), and custody for the most serious offenders.
A Corporate Services directorate provides a range of support services to these operational strands of the Agency - include the management and delivery of personnel, finance, business planning and information technology functions on behalf of the Chief Executive.
Policy
Youth justice policy is separate from the functions of the Agency and is one of the responsibilities of the Criminal Justice Directorate of the NIO, where a Youth Justice Policy Unit has been established to fulfill this role
Equality
Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires public authorities to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. These duties are designed, in particular, to ensure that equality issues are integral to the whole range of public policy decision making. The Agency is fully committed to the NIO Equality Scheme.
Human Rights
In carrying out its duties, the Agency will strive to protect the human rights of all those with whom it comes into contact. Children will receive the highest standards of care while they are with us.
