Youth Justice

Youth Justice Leadership Group

The Youth Offending Strategy identifies that mechanisms are needed at a national level to oversee youth justice service delivery and the implementation of the Youth Offending Strategy. In particular, it was recommended that a Youth Justice Leadership Group be established.

The list below details the agencies that comprise the Youth Justice Leadership Group –

Agency Representative

Justice (Chair)
Manager (Youth Justice Team)

Child, Youth and Family
Manager (Service Policy and Development); Manager (National Operations)

Police
National Manager (Youth Services)

Ministry of Health
Manager (Mental Health Policy and Service Development)

Ministry of Education
Manager (Operations Policy/ National Operations Division)

Ministry of Social Development
Manager (Child, Youth and Families Policy)

Ministry of Justice
Manager (Criminal Operational Policy)

As directed by Cabinet, the Youth Justice Leadership Group will have a membership limited to those most directly involved in policy and service provision for young offenders.

The Youth Justice Leadership Group meets every six weeks in Wellington. The Youth Justice Leadership Group is responsible for:

• Monitoring the implementation of the Youth Offending Strategy

• Monitoring and reinforcing agency commitment to the Youth Offending Strategy

• Identification and promotion of best practice

• Youth justice data analysis and trend identification

• Balancing policy concerns with operational realities

• Ensuring community interests are heard and responded to

• Developing a strategic focus for the Youth Justice sector that ensures policy and service development over and above what is currently detailed in the Youth Offending Strategy