ABSTRACT
This chapter delves into the perspectives of juvenile justice professionals in NSW, Australia, to shed light on the decision-making processes surrounding youth diversion under the Young Offenders Act 1987 (YOA). Through interviews with assistant managers from Juvenile Justice NSW (JJ) and Aboriginal Legal Services solicitors, this study examines institutional perspectives on diversionary processes. The findings corroborate previous chapters' conclusions that while there is a general commitment to the YOA among practitioners, resistance persists among police and some magistrates. Successful implementation of diversion in local areas relies heavily on management-level support for diversionary alternatives and the attitudes of Youth Liaison Officers (YLOs) towards the Act's principles. However, competing interests between welfare and justice approaches continue to influence decision-making, with some YLOs showing less commitment than others. The chapter also highlights the importance of localised approaches to managing diversion by JJ, which can result in varying levels of consultation with police and magistrates across localities. Strengthening relationships between institutional actors is essential to maximise the use of diversion, emphasising the need for internal discussions on improving stakeholder engagement.
