Strategies for responding to young offenders remain in flux: society's optimism about its youth sustains a willingness to innovate when designing programs; yet, it also often scapegoats the young for societal unease. In addition, policy is clouded by the conflict between justice and welfare approaches; the discrepancy between goals and actual outcomes; and a lack of balance in responsibility for intervention among the juvenile, the family, the community, and the State. This tension is reflected in programs that reintegrate or take advantage of bonds between youth and families and their relationship to the community and coerced control measures. A consideration of mediation/arbitration strategies, police cautioning and discretion, and custodial detention options in Victoria indicate that a synthesis of support and control goals is possible. This synthesis is grounded in a value base supported both by ethical considerations and empirical findings. This value base is captured in the title of the Victorian report on which the Children and Young Persons Bill of 1988 is based -namely, 'equity and social justice: for children, families, and communities.' Time and critical assessment of programs will tell if this middle ground is capable of being sustained. 32 notes and 45 references.