NCJ Number
112300
Journal
Lay Panel Magazine Volume: 19 Dated: (April 1988) Pages: 11-16
Editor(s)
W G McCarney
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Whitfield House, in Northern Ireland, was established to provide services for juveniles found guilty of offenses or in need of care, protection, or control with the objective of helping them remain in the community with their families.
Abstract
Initially, the program included an assessment unit, a truancy unit, and an intermediate treatment unit. The truancy unit eventually was discontinued. Program planning and implementation is conducted by three teams, supplemented by the participation of families, probation officers, social workers, and teachers. There are 45 places available, and programs normally run for 13 weeks. An interim report on juveniles' participation is presented to the court after 5 weeks. Responses from individuals representing the courts, the educational welfare service, social services, probation, child guidance and psychology services, and special and secondary schools indicate interagency variations in their expectations of Whitefield House. Despite variations in expectations, most agencies involved in Whitefield House programs felt they met user needs and reported positive outcomes and constructive working relationships. In general, Whitefield house functions well as an advocate of the child, operates well as part of the system, and is appropriately used as a referral resource by involved agencies. Major areas in which practice could be improved to provide more effective services are in the area of interagency cooperation and communication.