Department of Human Services

Youth Justice Group Conferencing

Suitability Assessment Report (version 3)

YOUNG PERSON’S DETAILS
Name
Date of birth / Age: / Gender:
Address
Phone / Mobile:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status / YES NO
Ethnicity / Interpreter required? YES NO
PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT DETAILS (KEY CAREGIVER)
Name
Address
Phone
ADDITIONAL CONTACTPARENT/GUARDIAN/SIGNIFICANT OTHER (OPTIONAL)
Name
Address
Phone
YOUNG PERSON’S DHS STATUS (Check on CRIS or contact CP or DCS if unclear)
Current YJ client? YES NO / Likely to receive YJ order post YJGC? YES NO
If ‘current’ client, provide worker’s name and contact details:
If likely to receive a YJ order post YJGC, YJ contact person and telephone no:
Current Child Protection client? YES NO
If ‘current’ client provide worker’s name and contact details:
Current Disability Services client? YES NO
If ‘current’ DS client provide worker’s name and contact details:
COURT DETAILS
Assessment date
Court date
Court location
Judge/Magistrate
Legal representative
Phone / Mobile
YOUNG PERSON’S FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES
Does the young person receive support from immediate family? / YES NO
Any identified family issues - crisis, trauma, intervention order or CP involvement? / YES NO
If ‘yes’ please provide a brief description:
HEALTH
Health concerns that may affect young person’s participation ina group conference? (This may include physical or mental impairment and/orcurrent substance abuse) / YES NO
If ‘yes’ please provide a brief description:
EDUCATION/RECREATION
Is the young person currently engaged in education, training or employment? YES NO
If ‘yes’ please provide a brief description:
INFORMED CONSENT/VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
Has the young person provided informed consent and voluntarily agreed to participate in a conference? (Informed consent is described in YJGC assessment guide p.3) / YES NO
YOUTH JUSTICE ASSESSMENT OUTCOME
Assessed as suitable by Youth Justice? YES NO
If ‘no’, provide brief reason:
COURT OUTCOME
Was a group conference ordered by the Court? YES NO
If ‘no’, state disposition:
If ‘yes’ Court return date:
3. YOUTH JUSTICE WRITER DETAILS
Name / Phone
DHS Area/Division
CHECKLIST (DOCUMENTS TO BE PROVIDED TO THE GROUP CONFERENCING CONVENOR)
Police charge sheets and summaries
Court order confirming matter has been adjourned for a Youth Justice Group Conference
DHS privacy consent form signed by the young person
Youth Justice Group Conferencing Suitability Assessment report
Copy of PSR if a group conference resulted from a PSR recommendation

Youth Justice Group Conferencing Assessment Guide

This assessment guide outlines factors to take into consideration when assessing the suitability of a young person for Youth Justice Group Conferencing (YJGC). Youth justice workers conducting a suitability assessment should be familiar with these factors to ensure the integrity of the program. The youth justice worker should also ensure that referrals to YJGC are consistent with legislation and program guidelines.

Informed consent

Ensure that the young person understands the commitment required to participate in YJGC including:

  • meeting with the convenor in preparation for the conference
  • speaking at the YJGC in front of family/guardian member(s), the victim and/or their representative, a police member and their legal representative
  • having to speak about the offence(s) at the YJGC
  • an expectation that they will apologise to the victim
  • that a report on their involvement with YJGC will be provided to the Court

Make sure the young person has not been ‘pressured’ to participate in a YJGC.

Alternative sentencing options

Ensure that the young person is clear about the Court alternative to YJGC and they have consulted with their legal representative.

Section 415 (1) states that a young person can be referred to YJGC if: “…the Court is considering imposing a sentence of probation or a youth supervision order.” If it is clear that the Court is considering another disposition, generally the young person will not be eligible for the program.

Family/significant other support for the young person

The young person must be supported at their YJGC by a suitable adult that can include a parent, guardian or significant other.

Current living arrangements

Does the young person’s living arrangement allow them to engage in YJGC?If the young person is transient or homeless but otherwise suitable for YJGC, alert the YJGC service provider/convenor who can support the young person to find accommodation.

Special needs

Consider any special needs that may affect the young person’s ability to engage in the YJGC process including intellectual functioning, physical disability, substance abuse, current anger management issues or particular cultural norms/values.

Safety concerns for the convenor

In preparation for the YJGC, a convenor is required to meet with a young person and their family/guardian at their place of residence. If there are concerns about a convenor’s personal safety when conducting a home visit this should be noted in the suitability report.

Secondary consultation

Where a young person’s suitability for the program is umclear due to their presenting attitude or other issues, the youth justice worker should consult with their team leader and discuss with the relevant YJGC convenor, if available.

Young person’s involvement with other services

It is important that the YJGC convenor is alerted to the young person’s involvement with other services. As part of the assessment CRIS must be checked for current or previous involvement with DHS programs. Where this involvement is current, a contact name and number must be included on the assessment.

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