Youth Justice resources and policies

Use this portal to access the agency websites of Youth Justice's key stakeholders and the policy documents which guide how Youth Justice operates.

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Resources
Community
Conferencing
Custodial
Whole of Youth Justice policies

Resources

The organisations listed below are stakeholders and partners in the Youth Justice service delivery model and play a critical role in the delivery of programs and services offered by Youth Justice NSW.

Organisation	Connection
Advocate for Children and Young People	The Advocate for Children and Young People is a key stakeholder who provides independent oversight of Youth Justice procedures and activities to the Executive Director of Youth Justice NSW. The Advocate works to improve the safety, welfare and well-being of all children and young people in NSW.
Anti-Discrimination NSW	Youth Justice has policies in place for diversity and inclusion that relate to the Anti-Discrimation Board. Their standards are reflected in Youth Justice policies and practices.
Department of Communities and Justice	The Department of Communities and Justice cluster works with children, adults, families and communities to improve lives and help people realise their potential. Youth Justice is a unit that sits within the Department of Communities and Justice, within the Child Protection and Permanency, District and Youth Justice Services division.
Department of Education	The Department of Education operates schools in all Youth Justice Centres so that young offenders can continue their studies while at the centre and learn skills to help them re-enter education, training or the workforce when they leave custody.
Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)	Youth Justice strives to be a transparent and accountable organisation guided by the framework set by the Independent Commission against Corruption. Their principal functions are to: investigate and expose corrupt conduct in the NSW public sector actively prevent corruption through advice and assistance educate the NSW community and public sector about corruption and its effects.
Legal Aid NSW	Youth Justice NSW caseworkers collaborate with Legal Aid to support young people and ensure young people can be represented fairly for legal matters. View the Legal Aid website to see information about the Children’s Legal Service and the Youth Hotline 1800 10 18 10.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research	The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research is a statistical and research agency within the Department of Communities and Justice. Youth Justice NSW works in close partnership with the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research for statistical analysis on matters relating to Youth Justice and juvenile crime.
NSW Ombudsman	The NSW Ombudsman has access to all Youth Justice Centres and Community Offices. It provides independent oversight to ensure Youth Justice NSW is upholding its legislative obligations and adhering to policies and practices.
NSW Parliament	The NSW Parliament is a key stakeholder who oversees the Youth Justice legislative framework. Youth Justice NSW is accountable to the Parliament and people of NSW.
NSW Police	Youth Justice works very closely with NSW Police to manage young people coming into contact with the legal system, particularly in relation to arranging bail and diversionary programs for young offenders such as Conferencing.
Premier’s Priorities	The Premier’s Priorities represent the government’s commitment to making a significant difference to enhance the quality of life of the people of NSW. They are the blueprint set by the NSW government for achieving its key objectives – several of which relate to Youth Justice.
TAFE NSW	Youth Justice NSW collaborates closely with TAFE NSW to create educational and vocational training opportunities for young people in custody and in the community.

Community policies

View the policies that guide the operations and activities of Youth Justice NSW in the community.

You can also view the corresponding procedures which identify the specific roles and responsibilities of staff.

Document	Description
Bail Policy	This policy provides a framework for Youth Justice employees as they work with young people, the courts, the police, and other stakeholders regarding bail.
Child Protection Register Policy	This policy outlines Youth Justice NSW employee requirements to assess a young person’s registrable offender status and support young people to comply with their Child Protection Register obligations.
Community Clean Up Order Policy	This policy explains how Youth Justice officers are to assess a young person's suitability for a Community Clean Up Order, manage and monitor a young person's Community Clean Up Order placement, and report to the court on a young person's compliance with the order.
Community Service Order Manual: Policy and Procedure	This policy sets out the policies, procedures, and standards for administrating the Community Service Order scheme for Youth Justice NSW employees.
Community Supervision for 18 and Over Policy	This policy concerns young people who turn 18 while subject to a Youth Justice NSW supervised community order or who are 18 years or over when released from custody on a supervised community order.
Court Communication Policy	This policy provides employees with an understanding of the requirements for court reports and includes instructions for Youth Justice NSW employees about providing verbal information to the courts.
Court Report Writing Manual	This manual helps Youth Justice employees write clear, concise and appropriate reports for court and police.
Giving Evidence Policy	This policy outlines a Youth Justice employee's responsibilities when requested or subpoenaed to provide evidence to the court, police or legal representatives.
Managing Non-Compliance and Breach Policy	This policy focuses on providing Youth Justice NSW employees with an understanding of how to manage and respond to a young person’s non-compliance and reoffending.
Parole Policy	This policy applies to all Youth Justice employees involved in the coordination, management and administration of young people who are subject to a parole order, approaching a period of statutory parole, or applying for parole at the Children’s Court.
Relocation and Travel Policy	This policy and related procedures provide employees with information on managing young people on community-based supervised orders who are travelling or relocating, within and outside NSW.

Conferencing policies

View the policies that guide the conduct and activities of Youth Justice NSW Conferences.

Document	Description
Conferencing Convenor Management Policy	This policy provides a framework for Youth Justice NSW to appoint and manage convenors. It ensures convenors have the appropriate qualifications, training and support to deliver high quality conferences.
Conferencing Manual	This manual outlines the Youth Justice Conferencing process from referral to completion, and includes information about the roles and responsibilities of Youth Justice participants.

Custodial policies

These policies communicate the expectations Youth Justice NSW has of its employees for the delivery of services to young people in custody.

You can also view the corresponding procedures which identify the specific roles and responsibilities of staff.

Document	Description
Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy	This policy identifies the circumstances and conditions under which detainees are drug tested for the presence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Applying Powers and Responsibilities under the Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987 and Regulation	This policy applies to all Youth Justice Centre employees who are exercising delegated responsibilities of the Secretary or Centre Manager under the Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987 and Regulation.
Audio-Visual Link Court Policy	This policy provides the framework for the use of audio-visual links within Youth Justice Centres.
Audio-Visual Surveillance Policy	This policy sets out rules for the use of audio-visual devices in custody including body-worn cameras, closed-circuit television, and handheld video cameras in Youth Justice Centres.
Behaviour Intervention Framework	The purpose of this policy is to provide staff working in custodial environments with a framework for the effective management of detainee behaviour.
Centre Placement Policy	This policy provides direction to Youth Justice employees responsible for the assessment and safe placement of young people in mainstream and specialised units within Youth Justice centres.
Centre Telephone System Policy	This policy provides direction to Centre employees regarding the use, monitoring and reporting of phone calls using the Detainee Telephone System.
Contraband Policy	The ability of Youth Justice NSW to fulfil its duty of care to young people, employees, and visitors is jeopardised when contraband items are brought into a Youth Justice Centre or other facility. This policy informs the management of contraband at Youth Justice Centres and other facilities.
Custodial and Court Logistics Employee Uniform Policy	This policy advises custodial and court logistics employees of responsibilities regarding the wearing of the Youth Justice NSW mandatory uniform.
Custodial Operating Model - Responding to High Risk Behaviour	This policy outlines the philosophy and service delivery model governing the assessment, management and placement decisions for young people whose behaviour is assessed as high-risk.
Dangerous Items Policy	This policy ensures all items provided to young people, or used by employees or other persons, within the secure area of a centre, are accounted for before distribution and after collection.
Detainee Risk Management Policy	The aim of this policy is to establish consistent, safe and effective Detainee Risk Management Plans, in line with set standards, that allow young people to address their high risk behavioural concerns and to safely participate in the general routine of a centre.
DNA Forensic Testing Policy	This policy covers what a forensic procedure is, who can be DNA tested, and the presence of an interview friend or legal representative.
Escorted Absence Policy	This policy applies to all Youth Justice NSW employees who are involved in organising, approving, and escorting young people outside of a Youth Justice Centre.
Incentive Scheme Policy	The Youth Justice Incentive Scheme is a proactive intervention tool to encourage positive behaviour choices and achievement of individualised goals and target behaviour tasks on an ongoing basis for young people in a Youth Justice Centre.
Incident Management Policy, Reporting, Debrief and Review Policy	This policy provides information to assist youth justice employees to identify what constitutes an incident, specific types of incidents, and how they must be reported, assessed, and reviewed, as well as mandatory reporting requirements.
Incident Response Team Policy	This policy outlines Youth Justice NSW employee centre roles and responsibilities for maintaining good order and discipline within YJNSW centres, with no more restriction or force than is necessary.
Key Security Policy	The purpose of this policy is to inform employees and visitors of the requirements for maintaining key security while performing duties related to their role.
Leave Policy	This policy sets out the circumstances and conditions under which young people, subject to a period of control in a youth justice centre may be granted leave under the supervision of an approved person.
Mail Handling Policy	This policy directs employees at Youth Justice Centres to open and check all incoming mail and parcels, other than letters from exempt bodies such as Legal Aid. This practice ensures the security, safety and good order of Youth Justice Centres.
Managing Client Feedback and Complaints Guidelines	These guidelines provide the structure for receiving, assessing, recording, responding to, reporting on, and using complaints to improve services to young people.
Managing Young Females in Male centres	This policy deals with the procedures and considerations that need to apply when young females are detained in 'male' centres. As Reiby is the only designated centre for young females, all other metropolitan and regional centres may be classed as 'male' centres.
Misbehaviour Policy	This policy covers the inquiry process for alleged misbehaviours by young people, and punishment considerations, options, reviews, and approvals. This policy also includes a list of the 34 behaviours defined in Schedule 1 of the Children (Detention Centres) Regulation 2015 which may be punished.
Objective Classification System Policy	The purpose of this policy is to facilitate consistent and objective methods of classification when assessing the needs and risks of young people in custody.
Personal Property Policy	This policy provides a framework for Youth Justice employees to manage, process and record the personal property of young people in Youth Justice Centres in an effective and consistent manner.
Personal Visits and Contact Policy	This policy provides a framework for the facilitation, management and supervision of personal visitors at a Youth Justice Centre or Youth Justice Community Office or both, including visits conducted via audio-visual link.
Pool Maintenance Policy	This policy provides employees with the operational requirements for the daily care and management of Youth Justice Centre swimming pools.
Pool Use Policy	This policy ensures the safety of young people in Youth Justice Centres by providing Centre employees with maintenance and supervision requirements of the swimming pool.
Professional Visits Policy	This policy provides a framework for Youth Justice Centre (Centre) employees to effectively facilitate, manage and supervise professional visits.
Searching Employees Policy	The purpose of this policy is to inform employees of the expectations regarding the use of lawful search powers to combat trafficking in contraband and to prevent the removal of property from Youth Justice workplaces without authorisation.
Searching Young People Policy	To detect or prevent contraband from entering a centre or court, Youth Justice NSW employees may need to search young people under well-defined circumstances and conditions. This policy applies to all Youth Justice NSW employees involved with risk assessing the need to search, conduct and/or approve searches on young people.
Serious Young Offenders Review Panel (SYORP) Policy	This policy provides direction and guidelines for preparing and reviewing applications for reclassification and leave for detainees who have been sentenced with Serious Children’s Indictable Offences.
Supervision of Young People Policy	This policy informs Youth Justice employees of their legislative duty of care and operational risk management responsibilities related to the supervision of young people held within a Youth Justice NSW Centre.
Use of Force, Protective Equipment and Instruments of Restraint Policy	This policy provides employees with an understanding of safe responses to challenging behaviour in order to reduce the risk of injury to young people and employees, as well as the requirements for applying use of force, use of instruments of restraint, and use of protective equipment when required.
Vehicle Safety and Communication Policy	This policy applies to all Youth Justice NSW employees involved in escorting young people outside of a Youth Justice Centre using a Youth Justice NSW vehicle and communication devices.

Whole of Youth Justice policies

These policies are applicable to the whole of Youth Justice NSW and apply to community and custodial settings, and any setting where Youth Justice operates, such as in the field.

You can also view the corresponding procedures which identify the specific roles and responsibilities of staff.

Document	Description
Case Management Policy	This policy outlines how case management is implemented in Youth Justice NSW. It incorporates the four components of case management: assessment, case planning, implementation and monitoring, review and closure.
Case Note Manual	This manual outlines Youth Justice NSW employee requirements to write case notes in a way that meets legal and operational needs while supporting a case management service module.
Child Safety and Mandatory Reporting Policy	This policy provides all Youth Justice NSW employees with information about keeping young people safe from abuse and neglect, and directions on how to respond to child protection concerns.
Collaborative Case Management of Young People in Custody Manual	This manual, also known as the Caseworker in Custody Manual, provides an outline of the functions and responsibilities of the Youth Justice caseworker (custody) and caseworker (community) roles.
Field Work Safety Policy	This policy identifies Youth Justice NSW employee responsibilities when undertaking field work, specifically the prevention, identification and mitigation of risk factors and hazards.
File Management Policy	This policy provides directions to Youth Justice NSW employees to manage and protect a young person's information in an effective and consistent manner across Youth Justice NSW.
Funded Services Policy	This policy applies to all Youth Justice NSW employees who engage funded services to support case management, cultural support, rehabilitation and community reintegration.
Language and Communication Policy	This policy describes the principles which ensure accessible and effective communication between staff and clients. All staff who have contact with clients and their families with English language difficulties and or a disability are responsible for informing them of interpreter, translation and transcription services, and disability support providers.
Privacy Personal Information Policy	This policy applies to all Youth Justice NSW employees who collect, store, access, use or disclose personal information. The policy aims to prevent inappropriate disclosure of information while promoting the safety and wellbeing of young people, their families and the community.
Self-harm and Suicide Prevention Policy	This policy provides Youth Justice NSW employees with the direction and knowledge to identify and manage incidents of self-harm, attempted suicide and suicide.
Victims Register Policy	This policy demonstrates how Youth Justice NSW complies with applicable legislation in relation to the administration of the Victims Register.
Work and Development Order Policy	This policy provides employees with information about Youth Justice's obligation, as an approved sponsor organisation, for the application and the administration of the Work and Development Order scheme in both detention centres and community offices.
Working with LGBTQIA+ Young People Policy	This policy provides employees with an understanding and framework for working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual young people.