North Lanarkshire Council recently hosted its annual justice social work conference with the theme of Rights and Relationships. The conference brought together stakeholders involved in youth justice to discuss rethinking approaches, particularly in North Lanarkshire, and addressing issues affecting the justice system’s youngest and most vulnerable individuals. A key focus of the event was the Children (Care & Justice) Act 2024, with insights shared by the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ).
The Act aims to prioritise children’s rights by advocating for care-based alternatives to imprisonment, seeking to provide young people with supportive environments rather than incarceration. Andrew Gillies, a senior education and families manager in North Lanarkshire, emphasised the importance of strengthening a rights-respecting approach for young people and their families in the region. The conference highlighted the dedication of social workers and partner agencies in fostering positive change for youth in conflict with the law.
Fiona Dyer from CYCJ stressed the significance of trauma-informed practices that respect children’s rights and safeguard their well-being. The conference also featured author Graeme Armstrong, who shared his experiences growing up in North Lanarkshire, shedding light on youth violence and advocating for compassionate responses. Attendees were urged to challenge conventional notions of justice and address the root causes of issues faced by young people.
The event included engaging performances such as a musical act by Noel Quinn from Taylor High School and a presentation by the Creative Change Collective, showcasing a young person’s story through the arts. The conference underscored the importance of diverting young individuals from the justice system through collaborative, trauma-informed approaches that prioritise children’s rights and offer alternatives to punitive measures.
In the concluding panel discussion, key stakeholders including Sheriff Paul Haran, a young person, a children’s reporter, and senior social workers deliberated on enhancing practices to better support youth in conflict with the law. The emphasis was on improving collaboration among social workers, legal professionals, and partner agencies to provide more effective assistance to young people facing challenges within the justice system.