Facilitation of Family Conferences
Promoting and Convening Family Conferences.
The Children Act 2001 makes provision for the Probation Service to convene a Court ordered Family Conference.
A Family Conference is based on principles of restorative justice which, in essence, means healing the harm done to victims, while holding the offender accountable for his or her actions. The aim of the Family Conference is to divert the young person who has accepted responsibility for his/her behaviour from court, conviction and custody, and from committing further offences. The Court orders the Family Conference when
• the child accepts responsibility
• it appears desirable to the court that an action plan is formulated
• the child, parent(s), guardian(s) consent to the process
The Young Persons Probation Officer convenes the Family Conference within 28 days. The agreed action plan incorporates apologising to an identified victim, making good the harm done through direct or indirect actions and tasks and instilling through such a plan agreed measures and responsibilities to prevent further offending.
Further information on family conferences can be found in our publications section: Publications/General Information/Information Leaflets and Booklets
