Youth Action Project Sligo (YAPS) is a Garda Youth Diversion project. It works with 12 to 18 year olds in the Sligo/North Leitrim area who are involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour, or who are at risk of becoming involved in this behaviour.
Youth Action Project Sligo (YAPS) is a Garda Youth Diversion project. It works with 12 to 18 year olds in the Sligo/North Leitrim area who are involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour, or who are at risk of becoming involved in this behaviour.
Aims of YAPS:
- Identify young people at risk and plan and deliver intervention programmes.
- Direct young people away from conflict with authorities e.g. Gardai, courts, residents and community groups.
- Provide a safe place for young people to discuss issues important to them.
- Develop Gardai and community relationships.
- Provide support to those young people in need of emotional and developmental support.
Objectives of YAPS:
- To identify and work directly with the young people at risk of being in trouble with the law.
- To provide young people with skills and alternative ways to spend their time.
- To foster positive relationships between young people, local authorities, community groups and those in authority.
- Sligo town and environs
- Sligo - north
- Sligo - south, east and west
- Leitrim - north
Referrals are taken in Leitrim on a case by case basis.
- Service provided at above address
- Service provided at various locations throughout the area covered
- Service provided in person's own home
- Free
- Parents / guardians can refer
- Through GP
- Through schools
- Through Tusla Child and Family Social Workers
- Through other Tusla services (e.g. Education Welfare Service)
- Through HSE services
- Through other statutory services
- Through other community / voluntary service
Referrals can be made by the Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer (J.L.O), Community Gardai, HSE, Home Youth Liaison Service, Young Persons Probation Service or through contacting the service directly. Referral Form is available from the service.
- Under-18s need parental permission
- Under-16s need parental permission
- Post-primary school age (13-18 years approx.)