Master's thesis of Arts: Re-engaging families with their young people: a qualitative study of juvenile justice group conferencing in Victoria

The study is focused on the experience of conferencing from the perspective of young people (offenders), their families and supportive others. Of particular interest is the role of the offender’s family (and/or significant others), the nature of their support, and how this impinges on the conference and its outcomes. Although the supporters’ role is pivotal in the conferencing process, its significance has remained largely implicit in the research to date. The objective of the study is to explore this crucial element, using an interpretive approach.