How Youth Justice NSW helps young people and their families
Find out what to do when a young person becomes involved with the justice system and see how Youth Justice can help.
Youth Justice encourages parents, guardians and carers to be involved in the young person's experience through the justice system. Families of young people can find out more about support services at their local Youth Justice Community Office.
The role of parents, guardians and carers
Parents, guardians and carers of young people have a role to play if a young person in their care breaks the law. This can include:
- being present when the young person is being interviewed by police
- sharing information with the young person’s caseworker when being interviewed for court reports content or assessments
- being referred to counselling or community agencies who provide professional support and advice, sometimes with or without the young person
- attending and being involved in the young person’s Youth Justice Conference.
At any stage of supervision, the young person, parent, guardian or carer can contact the young person’s caseworker with questions or concerns.
The importance of family for young people
Strong and stable family and community relationships are key to improving a young person’s behaviour and putting them on a path to success.
Youth Justice works with families to help improve the young person’s life. It can be difficult for the family if a young person in their care is arrested or placed into custody. Youth Justice can help young people and their families during this time.
How do families stay strong when a young person goes into custody?
If the young person is refused bail or placed into a Youth Justice Centre, it is important for family members to keep in contact with the young person.
Youth Justice Community Offices can help the family with:
- assistance booking travel to the centre
- connecting with centre staff, particularly the centre-based caseworker for the young person
- following up on issues or concerns raised by the family related to the young person
- explaining rules related to visiting the young person in custody
- providing updates on how the young person is adjusting to the Youth Justice Centre
- connecting with support and referral services.
Youth Justice Centres can also provide support to parents, guardians and carers. In certain circumstances, parents, guardians and carers who live some distance from the Youth Justice Centre where the young person is placed, may be eligible for financial assistance or transport to arrange an in-person visit.
How to get assistance
If family members are experiencing difficulties visiting the young person, they can contact the Youth Justice Centre where the young person is in custody.
If they are unable to visit the young person in custody in normal hours, special arrangements can be made to make the visit possible. Similarly, if they live a long distance from the Youth Justice Centre, they may be eligible for financial assistance to enable the visit.
Tell Youth Justice what you think
Tell Youth Justice what you think about their service. They want to hear from people like you.
You can provide feedback by completing this form.
If a young person or family member is unhappy about anything, they can talk to a caseworker, Youth Justice manager, or make a complaint.