Alternative Actions that Work

A review of research on ‘what works’ in Police Warnings and Alternative Actions (collectively referred to as diversion) for children and young people who offend. The emphasis of the review is on the practical implications for those in the field. ‘Alternative Actions that Work’ links high quality international research with each step of the Police youth Alternative Action and Warning processes in New Zealand.

The document is in two sections, starting with an overview of Police youth diversion systems in New Zealand and overseas. This first section describes what Police do in New Zealand to divert youth away from formal youth justice processing, particularly appearing in court and the second section explores international and New Zealand research on Police diversion and restorative justice in depth.