Implementing Children’s Rights in Detention

Abstract

Advancing children’s rights in detention requires the implementation of child-centred care and fulfilment of the child’s Provision, Protection, Participation, Preparation and Partnership rights. These include provision for the child’s basic needs including health, education and development, considering how Oberstown Children Detention Campus measures against these standards. Co-ordinated placement planning, including education and development, multi-agency and individualised therapeutic services, is key to the delivery of these rights to children in detention. The child’s family must also be supported to engage in the child’s care and the planning process. Partnership is vital to a rights-based approach and collaboration with community-based agencies ensures that the goals of reintegration are met and the child returns safely to their community. Finally, the child’s right to participate in decision-making is central to the rights-based approach and it is here that Oberstown has begun to show that the children’s rights-based approach to detention can be transformative. This right means involving children in decision-making about their individual care, in the residential units and at Campus level, maximising the potential to shape their own lives. Effective and accessible complaints and inspection mechanisms provide vital safeguards.