Young Offenders Act 1997

The following persons are entitled to attend a conference—

the child the subject of the conference (whether or not the child is in custody),

the conference convenor,

a person responsible for the child,

members of the child’s family or extended family,

an adult chosen by the child,

an Australian legal practitioner advising the child,

the investigating official,

a specialist youth officer,

any victim or a person chosen by the victim as a representative of the victim,

a support person or persons for any victim,

if the conference convenor, child, any victim and (if present) a person responsible for the child all consent, one police officer for the purpose of training the officer,

if the conference convenor, child, any victim and, if present, a person responsible for the child all consent—a member of staff of Youth Justice NSW or another conference convenor for the purpose of training the member of staff or conference convenor.

If the conference convenor is of the opinion that it is appropriate, the conference convenor may invite any of the following persons to attend a conference—

a respected member of the community, for the purpose of advising conference participants about relevant issues,

an interpreter,

if the child attends a government or non-government school (within the meaning of the Education Act 1990) as a student, a representative of the school,

if the child has a communication or cognitive disability, an appropriately skilled person,

if the child is under care, a social worker or other health professional,

if the child is subject to the supervision of the Department of Communities and Justice pursuant to an order made under section 33 of the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987, the child’s supervising officer,

any other person requested by the child’s family or extended family.

The conference convenor may permit a person to attend a conference for the purposes of carrying out research or evaluation that has been specifically approved by the Minister, but only with the consent of the child the subject of the conference and any victim. Any such person may not participate in the conference.