What’s Stopping You? Absconding from Community Remand Homes in Aotearoa

The issue of youth absconding from community-based remand homes poses a multifaceted risk, not just for rangatahi (young people) involved in youth justice, but also Oranga Tamariki staff and the wider community. Despite its importance, there exists a dearth of research into absconding from these community remand settings, with existing literature predominantly focusing on absconding from other settings such as secure residences. Recognising this research gap, our qualitative project endeavoured to shed light on the risk and protective factors associated with youth absconding from community-based remand homes (CBRH) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This project drew from three sources of data: 1) a review of national and international literature, 2) an examination of Oranga Tamariki case files of youth absconders from CBRH, and 3) semi-structured interviews conducted with both rangatahi who absconded from CBRH and a range of Oranga Tamariki staff. Through this approach, a nuanced understanding of the individual, contextual, relational, and protective factors influencing the likelihood of absconding in this unique context was achieved.

Drawing on a literature review, case file analysis, and interviews with rangatahi and staff, we contribute new insights into the phenomenon in this unique context. Our findings highlight the interplay of potential risk and protective factors, which are likely to shape the absconding pathway or narrative for rangatahi. The implications for informing best practice are also considered. By addressing the identified factors, we aim to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing discourse surrounding youth justice and to existing absconding knowledge.