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Evaluation of Youth Offending Teams in New Zealand

NCJ Number
222079
Author(s)
Anne Harland; Amanda Borich
Date Published
November 2007
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of a process evaluation of New Zealand's Youth Offending Teams (YOTs), which consist of representatives of the law enforcement; child, youth, and family; education; and health agencies that deliver local services to juvenile offenders.
Abstract
The evaluation found a lack of shared understanding among YOT members about the purpose and role of YOTs. There was also a lack of clarity about how the aims of YOTs should be achieved, as YOT members desired that direction be provided on their purpose and how the YOTs should function. Respondents identified aspects of interagency engagement as the most important or significant function of YOTs. On a continuum of collaboration, YOTs tended to be positioned at lower levels of collaboration. Respondents identified communication, information sharing, and cooperation as the main forms of interagency engagement. YOTs were rated as being far more effective at collaboration than were their separate parent agencies. Respondents believe that YOTs offer promise for a more comprehensive and holistic approach in addressing youth offending in local communities. Respondents generally believed that YOTs served a distinctive function in serving juvenile offenders in relation to other interagency efforts. Nine recommendations are offered for improving YOT effectiveness, including the generation of a higher level of enthusiasm and support for YOTs from all associated with them. The evaluation used both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect information about how YOTs operate, with the intent of identifying examples of best practice and opportunities for development, as well as useful guidelines for improving the efficiency and appropriateness of their functioning. Interviews were held with 45 key informants from 7 YOTs, including both current and past YOT members. A survey sent to all current YOT members yielded a 42-percent response rate (n=199). 2 figures