'On2it' working together forum

Taupo Youth Offending Team and Taupo District Council are running a regional youth forum and encourage anyone who works with youth or their families or has an interest in youth development, to attend.

This full day forum is being held on 8 October, 8.45 – 5.00pm at the Great Lake Centre and provides an opportunity to hear a variety of nationally renowned experts providing information on young people and youth offending.

The presenters include:

· Judge Andrew Becroft from the Principal Youth Court Judge of New Zealand will provide advice and insight on communities’ response to youth offending and will be the MC on the day.

· Manu Caddie will introduce Whakaaro Pai, a cognitive-behavioural game to identify common thinking errors and positive alternatives for rangatahi aged 12-17 years.

· Carl Crafer will be talking about dealing with youth gangs in New Zealand, what is currently in place and the positive outcomes already being achieved.

· Dr Donna Smith will be presenting on Turning Point, a collaborative intervention strategy to address young women’s violent and youth offending.

· Dave Marshall will be talking about the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New Zealand mentoring programme as an intervention to prevent and reduce youth offending.

· Kaye McLaren will be running a workshop called ‘Tough is STILL not enough’ which covers trends in youth justice, effective interventions and ‘Learning to stop crime’ - how education protects children and young people from offending.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day for attendees. The forum costs $10 per person or $100 per organisation (for 10 or more). To reserve your place contact Jenny Steadman on jsteadman@taupo.govt.nz or phone 07 376 0899 before 6 October 2008.

If attendee’s can’t make the full day session then there is an evening presentation with Judge Andrew Becroft at the Great Lake Centre from 7.00 – 8.30pm. Entry is free.

This ‘On2it’ Working Together Forum has been organised by Taupo District Council’s Community Support Team and the Taupo Youth Offending Team made up of members from the Taupo Police, Child Youth & Family, Ministry of Social Development, Education and Health.