Oberstown Children Detention Campus publishes annual report for 2022

Oberstown Children Detention Campus has today published its annual report for 2022.

The report is a unique public record of the operation of the campus in 2022, presenting the achievements, events and developments in the service over the year.

Oberstown is Ireland’s only children detention facility and provides a safe and secure environment for young people under 18 years placed on remand or detention orders by the courts.

In line with legal requirements, Oberstown meets the needs of young people in relation to their Care, Education, Health, Offending behaviour and Preparation for leaving – the five elements of CEHOP®, the Oberstown model of care.

The annual report presents key developments in the management of the campus, and illustrates the notable achievements of the young people at Oberstown over the course of 2022. Highlights include:

• Publishing the Oberstown Strategy 2022-2026, a key milestone in the development of Oberstown’s service.
• A positive annual inspection by HIQA assessing the service against the Children’s Rights Policy Framework, which sets out 12 Campus Rules that help ensure young people are involved in key decisions about their care.
• Visits from international partners which validated the view that Oberstown’s rights-based participative approach compares favourably to international best practice.
• Continued growth of Oberstown skills training programmes, focusing on providing young people with practical skills that increase their prospects of employment in the future. In 2022, 22 young people achieved a certificate in Fitness Instruction, 18 young people completed a course in manual handling, and 22 qualified for a Safe Pass certificate.
• Development of an online career guidance portal and support programme for young people.
• A total of 28 Gaisce awards were achieved by young people during the year, including two gold medals, the highest level of achievement.
• A national exhibition of artworks created by young people at Oberstown, shown at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). The show was the result of a collaboration between Gaisce – The President’s Award, IMMA and Oberstown.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman T.D. said: “My Department welcomes the publication of the Oberstown annual report for 2022 and acknowledges the excellent work undertaken to deliver the first-rate standard of care.

“The quality care provided promotes young peoples’ development, wellbeing, and potential, delivered through a holistic, collaborative and rights-based approach.

“I would like to thank the Board of Oberstown for their continued commitment throughout 2022. In particular, I would like to congratulate Ursula Kilkelly for the impact she has made as Chair of the Board of Oberstown during her tenure.”

Professor Ursula Kilkelly, Chairperson of Oberstown Board of Management during the period covered by the report, said: “2022 was a busy year at Oberstown. A key highlight for me was publishing the Oberstown Strategy 2022-2026, which provides a clear direction for the coming years.

“Overall, the Strategy seeks to ensure that the progress made in Oberstown is both embedded in the organisation and enables it to continue to develop. I would like to express a sincere thanks to fellow Board Members and staff at Oberstown for their dedication and hard work throughout the year.”

Damien Hernon, Oberstown Director, said: “The driving force in all of our work is delivery of the best possible care for our young people and helping them to maximise their potential.

“The wonderful initiatives documented in the report are a testament to the quality of care and education involving all the staff who have a daily impact on the lives of our young people.

“I am proud of the achievements of both staff and young people at Oberstown in 2022”.

Koulla Yiasouma, Chair of Oberstown Board of Management, said: “The report demonstrates the extent of the work undertaken with and by young people at Oberstown.

“There is a clear strategy that will ensure that the Campus continues to work to support young people to be active members of their communities.

“I thank and commend Professor Kilkelly for her leadership of the Board and the Campus.”

The report is available on the Oberstown website.