Centre for Youth & Criminal Justice

The 2025 Youth Justice Conference, delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government and the National Youth Justice Advisory Group will take place in Stirling on the 11th and 12th June 2025. 

This year’s theme is ‘Childhood, Safeguarding and the Children’s Hearing System’. 

Keynote speakers Professor Carlene Firmin, Durham University and Grace Robinson, Blackbox Consultancy will help us to explore complex practice issues such as Contextual Safeguarding and Child Criminal Exploitation. With significant reforms to the Children’s Hearing System already underway, we will address some of the challenges and opportunities when it comes to supporting children in conflict with the law.

This event is a significant opportunity to network, build relationships, and learn from experts in the field, through a blend of plenary sessions, workshops, stalls. Book early avoid disappointment!

Programme Timings

Day 1
Registration from 8.30am
Conference start:  9.30am    Conference finish: 4.00pm

Optional dinner from 6.30 pm

Day 2
Registration from 8.30am
Conference start: 9.30am     Conference finish: 1.00pm

Target audience
The conference is aimed at Youth Justice Practitioners, and key partner organisations from all 32 local authorities.

Please email [email protected] for more information.

The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) will be hosting a two day online START:AV training via Teams on Tuesday 1st April and Wednesday 2nd April (9.30am – 4.30pm each day). 

This training is specifically for professionals who conduct assessments in relation to high-risk behaviours displayed by, or experienced by, children and young people.

The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability: Adolescent Version (START:AV) was developed to guide the individualised assessment of vulnerabilities and strengths that can lead to, and mitigate against, the risk of adverse outcomes occurring, including harm to others and rule violations and harm to the adolescent. The aim of the tool is to guide evidence-based intervention planning to reduce the risk of harm occurring and promote healthy development.

For more information on the research foundation for the START:AV please see the START:AV Knowledge Guide.

The START:AV is designed to be used by a range of professionals such as psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, and other professionals in justice and mental health settings. It should only be used by those who have experience of working with adolescents, such as through formal training, continuing education, and/or professional practice.