@article{O’ Connor_McKenna_2006, title={Juvenile Offenders:}, volume={21}, url={http://acycpjournal.pitt.edu/ojs/jcycw/article/view/420}, abstractNote={ International research has shown that the years 16 to 18 are the peak years for criminal offending and that nearly half of all crime is committed by teenagers. An estimated 38 percent of all crime in Ireland is committed by juveniles, ages 14 to 17. This paper views a specific population within the Irish social care system generally designated as male ’juvenile offenders’. It provides some background demographic statistics and notes the public perception is that crime by young persons is not only on the increase, but is more serious than ever before (Pearson, 1983), a view reflected by the Irish Government. The body of the paper draws from our collective experience in child and youth care and examines some key areas residential care management staff need to consider with regard to young offenders leaving care. Effective program development for youth leaving care for independent living is now considered crucial to potential success and permeates all good practice.}, journal={Journal of Child and Youth Care Work}, author={O’ Connor, Michael and McKenna, Susan}, year={2006}, month={Mar.}, pages={69–79} }