Research Evidence into Policy Programmes and Practice project (REPPP) (2018 - 2019)

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Project

Location:

Centre for Crime, Justice and Victim Studies, School of Law, UL

Project Leader:

Dr. Sean Redmond

Contact:

sean.redmond@ul.ie

What we're doing:

The REPPP project is an innovative partnership between the School of Law, University of Limerick and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA). The School is leading the development of evidence-informed policy research in the youth crime area in Ireland. Current activities include • A project to determine the value of routine data collected by the multiple actors in the youth justice system with respect to making judgments about effectiveness. • Test the generalisability of findings (national survey of JLO’s) and re-test the methodology to gauge whether it could work in other contexts and whether there were other resonances of Greentown findings (two new Greentown case studies using original Greentown methodology). • A project to design a new evidence informed intervention to reduce offending by children caught up in organised crime networks • A project to identify the best way of reviewing international evidence to make policy decisions informed by the available evidence • A project to evaluate the impact of the recently DCYA commissioned bail supervision programme for juveniles remanded to detention • Ad Hoc requests by officials for advice

Why are we doing it:

All REPPP activities derive from or seek to support the Youth Justice Action Plan 2014-2018 and so are tied at the outset to policy priorities determined by the political system and relevant officials. In addition, the REPPP is tasked with developing policy-led youth crime research in Ireland by increasing this type of activity by other third level institutions. This role will further develop in years 2 and 3, however work has already commenced on developing a youth crime teaching module and academics in institutions outside UL are now engaged in supporting REPPP activities outlined above.

Who we're working with:

The REPPP project is supported by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Irish Youth Justice Service, and the Irish Research Council. As a multidisciplinary project, REPPP seeks extensive contributions beyond the more specialised legal sphere.

How well are we doing:

REPPP impact will be demonstrated by the degree of policy, programme and practice uptake and influence it achieves. Supporting objectives will include: • The quality of research output in terms of substance, accessibility and capacity for practical application (effectiveness) • The quality, quantity and impact of research output compared with alternative models of research commissioning

Learning

Module Code:

Youth Crime Module currently in production and awaiting approval

What will you do on this practicum?:

One of the most important projects of the REPPP has been the design a new evidence informed intervention to reduce offending by children caught up in organised crime networks. The ‘Greentown Programme Design’ was an expert-led deliberative process initiated to establish an evidence base in the design of a proto-type programme to reduce network influence and improve pro-social opportunities for children. This 3-stage process focused on problem definition, the development of a theory of change and culminated in a 2-day workshop with 20 Irish experts and 5 international experts contributing to an outline programme.

Why will you do this work?:

A pilot has been commissioned by the Irish Youth Justice Service through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for this programme to be undertaken in 2018.

Who will you be working with?:

• Garda management • Local authorities • Tusla management • Youth Work management

How will your work be evaluated?:

It is envisaged that the REPPP team will lead on the development of an adapted EMMIE protocol in 2018. This will allow for policy or programme questions commissioned by Irish Youth Justice Service to be tested.

Research

Project Keywords:

Greentown Programme Design

Why is this project necessary?:

This project has drawn on and captured the best available professional and scientific knowledge received from youth crime experts nationally and internationally following the 3-stage programme design process, a first of its kind in the country.

Who is collaborating on this project?:

Department of Children and Youth Affairs Department of Justice and Equality Irish Youth Justice Service Ireland's European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014-2020 Eoin O Meara Daly, Youth Justice Researcher, School of Law, University of Limerick, Email: eoin.omearadaly@ul.ie; Dr Sean Redmond, Adjunct Professor of Youth Justice, Research Evidence into Policy Programmes and Practice project, School of Law, University of Limerick, Email: Sean.Redmond@ul.ie

How is this project being evaluated?:

Partners

School of Law

Partner Logo/Image:

The School of Law prides itself on providing an innovative, enriching, student-centred learning environment for our 700 or so students. The School’s internationally recognised staff provide excellent tutelage in a friendly, open atmosphere. The School’s undergraduate programmes (Law Plus, and Law and Accounting) have always been interdisciplinary in nature, and all our students undertake a six to eight month pioneering clinical placement as an integral part of their education. This long and sustained commitment to ‘law in action’ has ensured that students get vital clinical experience with prestigious employers. Such clinical experiences contribute to the educational journey of our students and also greatly enhance their employability. The School of Law has a long tradition of committing ourselves to developing the transferrable skills of students through projects such as Advanced Lawyering and Moot Court, and through cutting edge core modules such as Alternative Dispute Resolution. Moreover, we have fostered strong international links and it is possible for our students to undertake placements in Canada and the US. Our students can spend a full academic year in a European university in Malta, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and the Netherlands. We also have links with universities in Germany, France and Spain where subjects are taught through the native language. We have a very vibrant international student body in the School of Law.

Website:

http://www.ul.ie/law

Phone:

353 61 202682

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Partner Logo/Image:

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs focuses on harmonising policy issues that affect children in areas such as early childhood care and education, youth justice, child welfare and protection, children and young people's participation, research on children and young people, youth work and cross-cutting initiatives for children.

Website:

http://www.dcya.gov.ie

Email:

contact@dcya.gov.ie

Phone:

+353 1 6473000

Irish Research Council

Partner Logo/Image:

The vision of the Council is for a healthy research ecosystem in Ireland which provides a diversity of supports and opportunities and which enables the country to reap the full value and benefits of research. This balanced ecosystem will address the breadth of economic and societal needs and develop the knowledge, understanding and insights required by citizens, employers and government. The Council will play its part and support the best talent. It will provide opportunities for excellent researchers with excellent ideas, regardless of the discipline or research topic. Through its approach the Council will cultivate individual thinkers to question and research and in this way contribute to the development of the skills, competencies and expertise required for the future.

Website:

http://www.research.ie

Email:

info@research.ie

Phone:

01 231 5000

Resources

Project Category:

Civic

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