|
Youth Justice Group Conferencing
What is a Group Conference?
A Youth Justice Group Conference is based on restorative justice principles. The program provides the
Children's Court with an alternative pre-sentencing option that aims to devert young people from further or
more serious re-offending.
Who is a Conference for?
Young people between the ages of 10-18 years who have:
- Pleaded guilty or have been found guility of offences that do not include homicide, manslaughter,
sex offences or serious crimes of violence.
- Committed offences serious enough to warrant a probation or youth supervision order to be
considered by the court.
- Been referred to the group conferencing program within 12 months of the offence, or under
exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Court.
- Consented to participate
- Been assessed as suitable by a Department of Human Services Youth Justice Officer.
Who participates in the Conference?
Anyone who has been affected by the offence or who can assist to improve the situation maybe invited
to attend.
Why have a Conference?
- To raise the young person's understanding of the impact of their offending on the victim
- To utilise the resources of the immediate and extended family and/or significant others to
support the young person
- To reduce the frequency and seriousness of the re-offending of young people referred to
the program
How long does the Conference process take?
- Conference usually runs within 6-8 weeks from date of court referral
- Convenor meets with everyone involved prior to the Conference to help them prepare
- Conferences normally take about 2 hours
What happens before, during and after conference?
Before the conference
A Conferencing Convener meets with all potential participants to explain the process and make
sure everyone is fully prepared and knows what to expect.
At the conference
A Group Conference provides a safe, structured environment for all people affected by the
offence to come together to:
- Talk about what happened
- Discuss how they were affected
- Decide how to make things better
After the conference
The Convenor provides the Magistrate with a court report on the conference for consideration
prior to sentencing. The young person, their legal representative and the Convenor return to Court.
If the Court accepts the outcome plan, a key support person monitors the plan and supports the
young person to achieve the goals.
To find out more about CentaCare Group Conferencing contact:
Katrina Robinson
Group Conference Convener CentaCare
Phone: 03 5438 1300
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
