Fiona Dyer

This is a bold, evidence-led report that tells it exactly like it is: that Scotland's current level of imprisonment "goes far beyond what is required for public safety", because "having a high prison population does not equate to a safer society". And so say all of us.

Episode 19 of Creative Conversations with CYCJ is out now, wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now to catch up on our fascinating conversation with CYCJ Associate and Director of the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding, Professor Carlene Firmin, that took place ahead of her Kilbrandon lecture last year. buff.ly/ExITRWH

CYCJ in collaboration with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation have created a new eLearning module on Digital Safeguarding in Practice, to provide a greater awareness of the risks present for children using digital technology. Children have a right to access digital technology and online information, and it is critical when in that environment they are safe from abuse and harm. Key elements of this instance of learning are: building digital awareness, identifying indicators of online sexual abuse and grooming, promoting safe use of digital technologies and responding to harmful online behaviour. Take this course flexibly at your own pace: 💻Fully Online ⏰Four hours With support from the Scottish Government, we are now able to offer this course to learners free of charge. To enrol, simply click below to access the enrolment page: buff.ly/QEdLAuv

We still have lots to do… 👇

Check out our latest episode of Creative Conversations with CYCJ - featuring our associate, Professor Carlene Firmin, available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. On the day we recorded this episode Carlene gave the 23rd Kilbrandon Lecture, and in this conversation we hear about how Carlene approached this year's lecture, the topics she covers in the lecture and how the concept of contextual safeguarding fits in to Scotland's youth justice landscape. Listen now 🎧 buff.ly/GgNq551

Register now for our first webinar of 2026! 👇 Children, Capacity and Justice: Reflections from a Comparative Placement between Türkiye and Scotland with Dr Kemal Saruhan. Drawing on legal, clinical and policy frameworks, the session will discuss the age-related criminal responsibility structures in both countries; the differing roles of child psychiatry, social work and legal actors; and how Scotland’s Children’s Hearings System provides an integrated, child-centred model. The webinar will also consider what lessons may be transferable across systems and the wider implications for practitioners and policymakers working with vulnerable children. 🗓️ Thu 29 Jan 2026 ⏰ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Book your free place now at TicketTailor: buff.ly/on6Ysbp

Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas x

We have achieved so much, but there’s still a way to go to #keepthepromise @CYCJScotland

A must for anyone who works with children and young people 👇👇

We're looking forward to the 23rd Kilbrandon lecture this week - but the events don't stop there! The Kilbrandon Children's Research webinar will be taking place on 4 December and will focus on theme of masculinities and working with boys and men. Our team members Nina Vaswani and Iain Corbett will be presenting on "Masculinities under pressure: marginalisation, misconceptions and mental health." Register your place now before 1 December: buff.ly/DfY6Rff

There’s still time to register for the 7th Webinar of the Scottish Network of Restorative Justice Researchers onTrauma and Restorative Justice. This event will be discussing international research, practices and exploring the future for Scotland. Register here: buff.ly/uxkCAtT #RJWeek #RJWeek2025

It’s Restorative Justice Week 2025! We are proud to celebrate it alongside our colleagues at Community Justice Scotland and @SacroMediation and organisations across the globe. Check out this video with our Director, Fiona Dyer, on what Restorative Justice means to CYCJ. Join us in celebrating this Restorative Justice Week: stay tuned for updates, engage with our messages and events, and help us spread the word by sharing with your networks, using the hashtags #RJWeek2025 #RJWeek25

Our newest eLearning module is available now! We’ve partnered with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation to bring you an eLearning module on Digital Safeguarding in Practice. This module will help you: - build digital awareness - identify indicators of online sexual abuse and grooming, - promote safe use of digital technologies and - respond to harmful online behaviour It costs only £30 per learner and can be combined with any of our other eLearning courses. Enrol here: buff.ly/PmxRsT6

Listen now to the latest episode of our podcast series, Creative Conversations. In episode 18, Fiona Dyer sits down with CYCJ Associate Cedric Foussard to discuss advancing child centred justice, their recent article for the Law Gazette, and their reflections on the 5th World Congress on Child Centred Justice which took place earlier in the year. A visualised version of this podcast is coming soon, watch this space: buff.ly/knYgMq8

There is still time to apply for our post graduate course which starts in January 👇

A must for anyone who works with children and young people 👇

Final reminder to apply for our Post Graduate Certificate in Children in conflict with the law! This is the ideal course for someone looking to specialise in this area, and gain a critical understanding of the issues surrounding the rights of children and young people in conflict with the law. It provides a theoretically informed understanding of their developmental pathways, assessment, formulation, and intervention approaches. This part time, distance learning course begins in January 2026 and runs for 12 months. Apply here: buff.ly/lANZOox

If you're involved in case management responsibility for cases where risk management measures are in place for children, or are involved in supporting and delivering these services - we have the training for you. We're running CARM training for practitioners in person this November! 🗓️ 19 & 20 November 📍 St Phillip's Residential Care & Educational Services 10 Main St, Plains, Airdrie ML6 7JE 🎫 £50 ⏰ 09:30 – 16:30 both days To learn more about the course here: buff.ly/0vu9JA7 Places can be booked via the University of Strathclyde's online shop: buff.ly/0bRc3O9

We’re looking forward to next week’s webinar where we’ll be hearing from Kristina Moodie, SCRA Research Officer will be exploring how the children’s hearings system currently addresses the serious behaviour of children just above the ACR threshold. 🗓️ 04 November ⏰ 12:00 All our webinars are FREE to attend. Sign up now via the link below 👇 buff.ly/tL77vzL

For your monthly download of everything happening at CYCJ and the world of youth justice in Scotland - you need our E-Bulletin. Inside this month you'll find: 💻 E-Learning: our latest module on Digital Safeguarding in Practice - enrolling now 🗓️ Details about the 23rd Kilbrandon lecture, delivered by Professor Carlene Firmin 🎧 Creative Conversations episode 18 where director Fiona Dyer sat down with CYCJ Associate Cedric Foussard to discuss advancing child centred justice And much more! Make sure you never miss an edition by subscribing here: buff.ly/KqAKOs4 October's edition is out now on our website: buff.ly/MY9o3h7