News
Youth Justice Agency building confidence in Ballymena (11/12/2009)
Guests from the statutory, voluntary, community and political sectors across Ballymena were the latest to be given an insight into the work of the Youth Justice Agency as a series of networking and confidence building events continued.Invitees gathered for the seminar at the Tullyglass Hotel on Friday December 4th where they heard presentations from Agency staff who work with young people who have become involved in offending behaviour. Young people, victims of crime and community representatives also shared their experiences of the youth conferencing process, a restorative practice which brings together the offender and their victim to ensure a satisfactory outcome for everyone involved.
Harry Bradley, Manager of the Youth Justice Agency’s Community Services centre in Newtownabbey and Larne also explained their work with young people who have been through the youth conferencing process and are participating in voluntary work and various schemes in their local communities to help make amends for their behaviour.
Orlaith McGibbon, Acting Assistant Director with the Agency’s Youth Conference Service commented afterwards “We already receive tremendous support from many groups and businesses in the Ballymena area, some of whom attend youth conferences to represent the voice of victims while others provide reparation opportunities for many of the young people we work with. This event today has enabled us to build on these partnerships and we have also received many new offers of support. By continuing to work together we can help build confidence in the youth justice system which will benefit the whole community.”
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