To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the Connect project, based in the Altnagelvin and Ulster Hospital Emergency Departments.

ORAL QUESTION No 10 - AQO 1475/22-27

ANSWER

CONNECT is an innovative, evidence-led project funded by the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC) and delivered by the Education Authority. It sees youth workers based in the Emergency Departments of hospitals working with young people aged 15-25, who are often vulnerable to harm and at what the youth workers call a ‘reachable moment’. Currently, the hospitals involved are Altnagelvin, the Ulster Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital.

In 2023/24, alone, the project supported 1,416 vulnerable young people. through practical support and aftercare. Significantly, these follow up sessions often help the young person to develop their capacity for self-support.

EPPOC evaluations of the project show that almost half of the young people supported by CONNECT had had contact with the justice system in the three months prior to engaging with the project.

After participation in the CONNECT project, young people involved were less likely to attend the Emergency Department, or to engage in unlawful behaviour, or be exposed to violence. They were also less likely to screen for probable depression; and more likely to be employed.

The investment in this project is relatively small, but the returns are significant - not just for young people but for the health and justice systems too. This shows that we can work across silos and sectors to help our constituents. This is the way we should be thinking about policy delivery across the Executive.