The Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) offers courts an alternative option to detaining a young person who comes before them by offering them the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision. 

By reducing the need for remand places, this also provides an opportunity to focus on developing successful community resources designed to prevent young people being detained in a youth justice facility and preventing them from entering further down the path of criminality.

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Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

Central to the delivery of the BSS is the use of the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) model. First implemented by Extern in 2001, this evidence-based model of intervention is family-based, and seeks to change how young people function in their natural ecology (home, school and community), in ways that promote positive social behaviour, while at the same time reducing levels of anti-social behaviour.

The delivery of MST is typically home-based, and therapists have small caseloads of four to six families which enable them to work intensively with each family, typically over a three to five month period.

The project has also been enhanced by the addition of a new strand which builds upon the work of Extern’s Janus Justice programme. Where the MST element is designed for young people who are living at home with a caregiver, the Janus Justice model caters for young people who are living in residential care, supported accommodation or living independently (i.e. not living at home with a caregiver).

The MST therapist consults with and coaches parents and carers on strategies that enable them to set and enforce appropriate rules and expectations, decrease the young person’s involvement with negative peers, promote association with positive peers and involvement with pro-social activities.

BSS staff liaise with agencies including An Garda Síochána, Oberstown Campus Detention Centre (OCDC), and Young Persons Probation (YPP), as well as through meetings with the judge and staff in the Dublin District Children’s Court in Smithfield (Court 55), Cork and Limerick,  as well as those involved in both defence and prosecution legal teams.

They also liaise with a wide number of agencies within the ecology of the young people on the programme, including:

• educational establishments
• youth groups
• community groups
• local sports groups

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LOCATION: Dublin, Cork and Limerick

SUPPORTING: Young People & Families

HOW DO I ACCESS THIS SERVICE? Referrals can be made through the Courts Service of Ireland

CONTACT:

Kevina Maddick,

Unit 6 and 10 Ballyboggan Business Centre
Glasnevin
Dublin 11.

Tel: +353 (0) 86 383 1890

Email:[email protected]

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Cork 

Janice Hickey

BSS Cork

3F North Point House

North Point Business Park

New Mallow Road

Cork

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 086 0756 456

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Limerick 

Michelle Kennedy

Unit 12, Watchouse Cross Retail Park,

Parteen Road,

Limerick V94X YK5

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 086 386 0763

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How our team supported one family in Dublin to change their lives.