Barnardo's New Directions Project

Over the years, Barnardo's New Directions Project has consistently grown and developed effective ways of working with young people. Although the core aim is addressing persistent and serious offending by young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, work in related areas of children and young people with substance misuse problems and problematic sexual behaviour continues to be developed.  

There were two further service developments in Aberdeen at the end of 2004. The project started working with children as young as 12 years (up to 18), to incorporate serious, persistent, antisocial and offending behaviour. A project worker post has been added to accommodate this work. Also, in light of the heavy toll that substance misuse has taken on our young people, an additional post has been established to address substance misuse of young people attending Barnardo's New Directions.  

Engaging young people is essential for effective intervention. The achievements of New Directions therefore, owes a great deal to the young people themselves, to the skill and determination of the project staff and to the invaluable support of Social Services, Grampian Police and all the other partner agencies in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.