Provision of a Youth Diversion Service to Young People in the Metropolitan Area

The Department of Corrective Services (DCS) has a diverse range of obligations in the management of adult and juvenile offenders in custody and in the community. The Department fulfils its obligations in a number of ways. These include:

• Providing offender management services that protect the community;
• Diverting offenders from committing further offences and from further entry into the criminal justice system;
• Supporting offenders to become responsible citizens by adopting law-abiding lifestyles; and
• Promoting crime prevention.

Department of Corrective Services, Community and Juvenile Justice, Youth Justice Services
The Department’s Community and Youth Justice Division, Youth Justice Services (YJS) focus is: “Working with the community to address the causes of youth offending”. The philosophy being “Youth Justice Services aims to address offending behaviour by young people to promote safer families and communities”.

Youth Justice Services is a multi-disciplinary team working to provide an evidence based responsive service to young people and their families when they come into contact with the youth justice system. It aims to reduce antisocial behaviour, strengthen interagency partnerships and prevent likelihood of further escalation through the youth justice system.

The Department requires a Youth Diversion Service (YDS) which will offer a range of diversion supports and activities that are designed to offer positive alternatives to young people who are at risk of offending. The focus will be on engaging young people and working with them in a family and community context.