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The Family Group Conference: A new paradigm for making decisions about children and young people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Abstract

The involvement of the State In the lives of children, young people and their families has taken a new turn in New Zealand since 1989. Now when a child or young person is in need of care or protection or had offended, matters are resolved with their participation and with the participation of their family. At the heart of the new system is the Family Group Conference which is a new forum for consensus decision-making and which is potentially adaptable to different cultural practices. Institutionalisation of the young has been drastically reduced. Families remain a part of the lives of their children. However practice problems remain, goals of cultural appropriateness have not always been achieved and services have not always been made available to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people or to strengthen their families.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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References

Hassall, I. and Maxwell, G. (1991) The Family Group Conference, An Appraisal of the First Year of the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989, Office of the Commission for Children, PO Box 12537, Wellington. Also in Ensuring our Future: The Fabric of Childhood in Australian Society, Conference Papers, 1991. Child, Adolescent and Family Health Service, Adelaide SA.Google Scholar
Paterson, K. & Harvey, M. (1991) An Evaluation of the Organisation and Operation of Care and Protection Family Group Conferences, Wellington: Evaluation Unit, Department of Social Welfare.Google Scholar
Maxwell, G. & Morris, A. (1992) Family Participation, Cultural Diversity and Victim Involvement in Youth Justice: A New Zealand Experiment. To be published: (350 pages approximately).Google Scholar
Maxwell, G. & Morris, A. (1993) Kids in Trouble. To be published by Daphne Brasell Associate, Wellington (150 pages approximately).Google Scholar