Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates Association (UK) Ltd

Registered Charity No: XR53967

“The Mental Health Needs of Young Offenders”

Professor Philip D. Jaffé, Eamonn McNally, Judge George Conner

A seminar organised by

The Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates Association (UK) Ltd

Chair: Judge Harry McKibbin

Mr David Ford, MLA, Minister of Justice, will open the seminar

The Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates Association (UK) Limited (YFJMA) is planning to organize a seminar on The Mental Health Needs of Young Offenders on Friday 13 December 2013 in the Bar Library. Our keynote speaker will be Professor Philip D. Jaffé, Professor of Psychology, University of Geneva, and Director ofthe University Institute Kurt Bösch, Sion, Switzerland, specializing in Children's Rights.

Eamonn McNally, a solicitor who specializes in mental health cases, will discuss the high incidence of mental ill health amongst young offenders in Northern Ireland and the challenges this presents to efforts to protect the rights of the child.

Judge George Conner will outline the difficulties the courts face in trying to decide how best to deal with these young offenders.

The seminar will focus on the prevalence of serious psychiatric disorders and a range of learning disabilities amongst incarcerated youth and question why we incarcerate young people who are in need of psychological and/or psychiatric help. A Criminal Justice Inspection into Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre in 2008 found that poor mental health was common – of 30 children in the JJC during the inspection, 20 had a diagnosed mental health disorder, 17 had a history of self-harm and eight had at least one suicide attempt recorded, eight were on the child protection register and 14 had a statement of educational needs. The subject matter is particularly important because of the draft Mental Capacity (Health, Welfare and Finance) Bill, which is currently out for comment.

Date: Friday, December 13, 2013

Venue: the Bar Library

Time: 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm

Registration: £20

CPD Points have been approved for barristers and solicitors;

Spaces are limited. Please confirm your place by sending the Registration Form, together with a cheque to cover the cost of the Registration Fee, to:

Mr John Richardson, J.P.

The Halt

1 Harwood Gardens

Carrickfergus,

Co Antrim BT38 7US Tel: 028 93363612 Closing Date: Dec 06

Enquiries to Dr Willie McCarney, Tel: 028 90615164; Email:

The Registration Fee is £20

Light Refreshments will be available from 3.30 pm. Seminar starts at 4.00 pm sharp

REGISTRATION

SEMINAR: The Mental Health Needs of Young Offenders

VENUE: The Bar Library

DATE: Friday, Dec 13, 2013

TIME: 3.30 for 4.00 pm

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REGISTRATION FEE: £20

GIFT AID (Please tick the box)

I am a UK Tax Payer - and am paying an amount of tax equal to that
which Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates Association reclaims on
my subscription [currently 28p for every pound].

Cheques to be made payable to “Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates Association (UK) Ltd.”

Please send your Registration Form and fee to:

Mr John Richardson, J.P.
The Halt
1 Harwood Gardens
Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, BT38 7US / Enquiries: Willie McCarney: 90615164
John Richardson: 93363612