Evaluating the Application of Restorative Justice at the Mangaung One-Stop Child Justice Centre

A Review of Legislation Pertaining to Children, With Particular Emphasis on Programmes Offered to Children Awaiting Trial at Secure Care Centres in South Africa

“…Therefore, programmes such as structured staff training, employee wellness and on-line and structured supervision of staff must be in place. The authors' agree with Reyneke and Reyneke (2010) about the challenges experienced by those who work with children in conflict with the law, and that assisting them to cope with their problems is crucial. Such workers should receive supervision of the highest quality.…”

A Co-Constructed Practice Model for Supporting Parents of Children in Conflict With the Law

“…Primary prevention parenting programmes aimed at supporting parents whose young children display at-risk behaviour have been found to be effective in preventing the development of future anti-social conduct disorders (Hutchings, Bywater, Daley, Gardner, Whitaker, Jones, Eames, & Edwards, 2007). Reyneke and Reyneke (2011) highlighted the prevention services offered at the Mangaung One-Stop Child Justice Centre to address the shortage of services for at-risk youths. The centre offers parents an opportunity to voluntarily refer their at-risk youths to participate in one of their 17 diversion programmes (Reyneke & Reyneke, 2011).…”

“…Reyneke and Reyneke (2011) highlighted the prevention services offered at the Mangaung One-Stop Child Justice Centre to address the shortage of services for at-risk youths. The centre offers parents an opportunity to voluntarily refer their at-risk youths to participate in one of their 17 diversion programmes (Reyneke & Reyneke, 2011). This practice points to an opportunity for some diversion programmes aimed at addressing at-risk behaviour in children to be adjusted and offered as secondary prevention programmes by probation officers, assistant probation officers and diversion social workers.…”

“…These studies also found that parents mostly felt overwhelmed and excluded during the court proceedings and were unsure of the role they were expected to fulfil. Reyneke and Reyneke (2011) similarly found that, despite the restorative justice principles underpinning the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 (2009), even at a One-Stop Child Justice Centre there was no physical space for parents or the child to sit in the decisionmaking circle in court and engage with officials during the court processes. Meaningful engagement and inclusion of parents in the CJS requires respectful and active involvement of parents throughout the CJP including decision-making about how and what services they want to access (Burke et al, 2014:11-12).…”

“…Contrary to the Children's Act 38 of 2005 (Chapter 9, section 150) (South Africa, 2006) Chapter 4, Section 24 of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 (South Africa, 2009) does not make any provision for the parent to request or access support services. No programmes or services are offered to help parents in fulfilling their parental responsibility in providing appropriate care for their child, to manage their child's behaviour during and after the CJP, or to support the parent during the CJP (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015;Steyn, 2012;Reyneke & Reyneke, 2011). The majority of parents of adolescents in conflict with the law expressed the need for "counselling, support, information and guidance" during the child justice process (Abdulla & Goliath, 2015:215).…”