Under s45 of the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA), the Youth Court Magistrate may order that a Family conference be convened to deal with an offender found guilty of an offence. This order is made if in respect of the offender’s family background, general conduct, home surroundings, school record, medical history and state of development of the offender, the court is satisfied that it would be in the best interests of the offender that he be dealt with by a Family conference.
Family Conference consists of a Court appointed facilitator, the offender and family, the probation officer, police investigation and prosecuting officers, victim and family, school representatives, psychologists and other community representatives. The results and recommendations of the Family Conference are made to the Magistrate who then makes appropriate orders in open Court. If it is deemed appropriate, under s46 of the CYPA, the Court may make an additional order requiring either or both the Child or Young Person and the Parent or Guardian thereof to undergo counselling, psychotherapy or other appropriate programmes.