The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) hosts and manages forums themed on youth justice issues and areas.
These are safe, informal spaces in which to discuss policy, raise issues and generate ideas.
Anyone is welcome to attend who has an interest in the topics, from any background. Currently all forums are meeting online.
Diversion from Prosecution
The Diversion from Prosecution practitioner forum is an opportunity for practitioners, policy makers and anyone with an interest in this area to share ideas, learn about new developments and to network. Forums often feature guest speakers from relevant services.
Forums are scheduled periodically and highlighted within CYCJ’s e-bulletin. To receive direct invites to future forums and be added to the DfP mailing list email Ross Gibson: ross.a.gibson@strath.ac.uk.
Early and Effective Intervention (EEI) Forum
The Forum was established as a space for professionals involved with EEI throughout Scotland to discuss its development and delivery in line with the EEI Core Elements, and to explore related issues and share good practice. It provides opportunities for showcasing services and resources beneficial to use with children involved with EEI, and for sharing any wider legislative and policy updates impacting the EEI processes. The Forum can be called on to inform updates to EEI processes and policy documents, as the child and justice landscapes evolve, and provides networking opportunities.
Email Karen Suszeck to join: karen.suszek@strath.ac.uk
Future forum dates:
Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Harmful Sexual Behaviour Forum
This forum is hosted by the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland for practitioners working with children and young people who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour. This is suitable for any professional in Scotland undertaking assessment, intervention or prevention-based work with children and young people who have displayed abusive or problematic sexual behaviours. The aims of the forum are to:
- Build knowledge, skills and confidence across the sector
- Disseminate relevant resources to practitioners
- Support the implementation of the Scottish Government’s practice guidance on working with children who have displayed harmful sexual behaviours
- Identify relevant research
- Learn from each other in our different roles
- Map systemic issues in relation to work with this client group and to explore solutions
Future forum dates and topics are as follows:
- 11th December 9-12pm (online) (please note change of original date and time to accommodate our speaker from Australia):
Linda Valenta – Let’s Talk: Addressing sibling sexual harm in the sibling relationship. For further information please click here.
- 20th January 1-4pm (online)
Various – Show and Tell: Useful Resources
- 24th March 1-4pm (in person at the University of Strathclyde – venue to be confirmed)
Nic Roberts (Lucy Faithful Foundation) and Susan Steele (Kibble Safe Centre) – Using the Good Lives Model in practice
Email Carole Murphy to join: carole.murphy.100@strath.ac.uk.
Secure Care Practitioners’ Forum
This forum is chaired by CYCJ and provides a safe space for practitioners working in, or on the edges of, secure care to meet and share good experiences, practice issues and receive specialist input. Forums are scheduled on a bi-monthly basis and meeting dates can be found on the CYCJ e-bulletin.
Email Sharon McGinty to join: Sharon.mginty@strath.ac.uk
Restorative Justice Development Forum
The forum is co-chaired between Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and Community Justice Scotland (CJS) and is for leaders and managers across Scotland interested in developing Restorative Justice in their area or organisation. It is a space for those in a leadership role to exchange knowledge and practice regarding the development of Restorative Justice in their local areas, with a particular focus on overcoming challenges and barriers.
Future forum dates are as follows:
Tuesday 3 February 2026: Clair Aldington, Co-Founder and Director-Practitioner of the award winning Space2face restorative justice and arts charity in Shetland will provide insightful learning from Shetland’s model.
Tuesday 31 March 2026
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Email Lauren Emmerson to join: lauren.emmerson@strath.ac.uk