Oberstown is a vibrant community focused on delivering a service that upholds the best standards of care for young people in detention.
Physical environment and population
Located in a rural setting near Lusk, Co Dublin, the campus is a modern, secure, custom-built facility, with residential units that accommodate up to eight young people.
In 2023, Oberstown was authorised to accommodate a maximum of 40 boys and six girls. The average daily occupancy was 35 young people. Over the course of 2023, there were 129 young people detained on the campus, 127 boys and two girls.
Young people are cared for 24/7 by Residential Social Care Workers and Night Supervising Officers; 177 staff in a total of 248 are directly involved in the front-line care of young people. Find out more about careers at Oberstown.
Weekday routine
At the centre of the campus is Oberstown Campus School, which each young person attends on weekdays. Classes take place between 9.15am and 3.30pm, with young people returning to their residential units for a lunch break. Term times follow the national educational calendar.
The school offers a varied primary, secondary and vocational curriculum delivered by the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB). Each young person follows an educational programme tailored to their academic level and social needs, along with key factors such as expected length of stay on campus, an assessment of what they might achieve, and their future plans and career interests. The school offers the national curriculum (Junior and Senior cycle), QQI certification, and learning support programmes including BKSB (basic key skills builder).
Oberstown staff run an extensive schedule of afterschool activities each weekday over four hours, ending at 8pm. Young people engage in recreational, vocational and educational activities, with many completing projects that count towards recognition under Gaisce – The President's Award.
Young people participate in specialist programmes that address offending behaviour and promote healthy relationships and positive lifestyle choices. Programmes are offered to meet individual needs, with delivery coordinated and integrated into the school and activities schedule. Read more.
Weekends
While school is closed at the weekend, staff facilitate activities for young people around an agreed plan which structures the day. The campus chaplain meets with the young people at weekends, often to continue discussions and projects developed during school and weekday activities.
Visits
Pre-arranged and approved visits take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm and on Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 7pm. Visitors may arrange to attend campus or to have a video call with their young person if they cannot travel. Read more.
Health services
The Campus health suite offers a full range of medical and health services. A visiting GP, dentist, optician, podiatrist and physiotherapist provide services to the young people onsite.
Multidisciplinary care is provided by a range of professionals (psychology, speech and language therapy and addiction counselling) through Tusla ACTS (Assessment Consultation Therapy Service) and the National Forensic Mental Health Service who provide psychiatric care.
Information for young people and parents/guardians
Each young person arriving at Oberstown is given an introduction to life on campus by care staff and is given a copy of Information for young people, a reference resource covering the key points of life on campus.