Young Persons Guide
WHO CAN BE REFERRED FOR A YOUTH CONFERENCE?
A person aged 10-17, who has committed an offence, admits to guilt and agrees to come to a conference can be referred by the Public Prosecution Service or the Court to the Youth Conference Service.
Many young people will be referred to the Youth Conference Service by the Public Prosecution Service, when they decide not to prosecute and if the young person has admitted their guilt of the offence to the Prosecutor and agrees to participate in a Youth Conference. This is called a Diversionary Youth Conference.
The Youth Conference:Your Decision guide is also available in other languages:
The Public Prosecution Service may also decide to prosecute, so the matter proceeds to the Court. Consequently, the young person may be referred for a Court Ordered Youth Conference, again only where they have been found guilty or admitted their guilt for an offence, and if they agree to participate in a Youth Conference.
Download the young persons guide to a Court ordered Youth Conference
WHO WILL ATTEND A CONFERENCE?
In order for the conference to take place there are some people who must attend:
- The Youth Conference Co-ordinator
- The Young Person
- An Appropriate adult
- A Police Officer
THE CONFERENCE
The conference itself is a meeting which gives you the chance to tell the participants at the meeting why you committed the offence and, subsequently, allows the victim to tell you how they have been affected by the crime.
The Conference is an opportunity for the young person to face the consequences of the impact of the crime and make amends for the harm caused to everyone by his/her offending. It is also an opportunity for the young person to be listened to and to participate in decision making over important issues in their lives. Arising out of the Conference Plan the young person will be offered programmes and services to meet his/her goals and needs.
The conference is based on all participants talking and reaching agreement on a plan to meet the needs of the victim and stop the young person re-offending.
AFTER THE CONFERENCE
A report is submitted to either the Court or Public Prosecution Service, who then decide whether to accept, amend or reject the plan.
In the case of a Diversionary Youth Conference, if the Public Prosecution Service accepts a plan, the Young Person completes a Youth Conference Plan, which is not classed as a conviction on the Young person’s criminal record, although it can be referred to if there are further criminal prosecutions.
In relation to a plan being accepted by the Court, the young person becomes subject to a Youth Conference Order, which is recorded on his/her criminal record, in the same way as any other court disposal. If the plan is not accepted by the Court, the Resident Magistrate may impose an alternative disposal.
COMPLETION OF A PLAN
On the satisfactory completion of a plan the Youth Conference Service informs the Court or Public Prosecution Service of the outcome. If the young person fails to complete a plan, a report is similarly submitted to the Public Prosecution Service or Court, who will then deal with the matter once again.
Click here to download the PDF guide to 'Monitoring the Youth Conference Plan'
