Who are we?
This website was launched by Marion and Les Derbyshire in March 2008. Since 1996 they have worked voluntarily in the field of children at risk, initially with the Viva Network and then more recently as independent researchers and writers of training materials.
In the course of their work they became aware that there are many children in jail in the world. Whilst some are accused of serious crimes, often there is very little reason for their being aprehended by the police in the first place and even less justification for their incarceration.
Although the problem is literally worldwide it has been very difficult to find any work being done to address the situation. In the early part of 2008 Marion and Les travelled to the Philippines where they had discovered a small number of programmes working to secure the release from jail and further protective care of children in conflict with the law. The examples of good practice as well as the legacy of long-standing inhumane incarceration that they encountered on that trip has formed the basis of this website and will also result in further training materials being produced.
Why the website?
During the time they worked with the Viva Network Marion and Les learned that one of the most powerful tools in the toolkit is information. The sharing of information among professionals, practitioners and other concerned individuals is one of the most enabling factors in the development and sustaining of work with children at risk. A disturbing proportion of programmes that set out to work in this field fail in the first year of operation through lack of knowledge and experience. By sharing information projects can benefit from the collective wisdom of others in the field.
What does the website do?
First and foremost the website provides an online forum for this sharing of ideas, information and advice. In addition it is envisaged that the site will grow with the body of knowledge. As news comes in and as knowledge develops there will be pages concentrating on particular issues and aspects of work with children in conflict with the law. Contributors will be invited to submit articles of value and interest and these in turn will stimulate debate.