Youth justice services
Overview
Youth Justice Family Group Conferences (FGC’s) are convened to address offending by children and young people. The FGC is a formal meeting for the young offender, their youth advocate, members of the family group/ whānau/ hapu/ iwi, the enforcement officer and any victims to decide how the young offender can be supported to address their offending and be encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour. The aim of the FGC is to identify ways in which the young person can be supported and reduce the likelihood of future re-offending. The FGC is the key mechanism through which young people can be diverted from the court system when appropriate.
The FGC process is reserved for young offenders brought to the attention of CYF through Police or Court referrals. The majority of youths apprehended by Police don't become involved in the youth court process and/or FGCs.
Trends in the number of Youth Justice Family Group Conferences held
The number of Youth Justice FGCs held has increased slightly over the last year (see table 5.7). Of the conferences held over the last two years, around 85% were new conferences, around 13% were reconvened conferences, and a small number were review conferences.
Of the new Youth Justice FGCs over the last two years, almost all (97%) have involved 14 –17 year olds and around 79% have involved males.
Table 5.7 Trends in the number of Youth Justice Family Group Conferences held
Age of child or young person when conference held |
2006/2007 Number | 2007/2008 Number |
|---|---|---|
| Number of new conferences held1,2 | ||
| 10-13 years | 196 | 219 |
| 14-17 years | 7,571 | 7,723 |
| 18 years or over | 13 | 10 |
| Not recorded | 23 | 12 |
| Total new conferences held | 7,803 | 7,964 |
| Number of other conferences held1,2 | ||
| Reconvened conferences | 1,242 | 1,113 |
| Review conferences | 114 | 119 |
| Total other conferences held | 1,356 | 1,232 |
| All conferences held2 | ||
| Total conferences held | 9,159 | 9,196 |
Note:
- Number of conferences held in the years ended June.
- Number of conferences may not relate to numbers of children or young people, as there may be more than one conference related to a particular individual in the same year.
