Youth Justice partners

Our partners

Our partners include the Department of Education, the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, NSW Police, and non-government and community organisations which manage programs like the Rural Residential Rehabilitation Adolescent Alcohol and Other Drugs Services in Dubbo and Coffs Harbour. We also partner with other agencies and groups such as Centrelink, Fire and Rescue NSW and the Civil Chaplaincies Advisory Committee.

See Resources and policies for an expanded list of key stakeholders and partners in the Youth Justice service delivery model who play a critical role in the delivery of programs and services offered by Youth Justice NSW. 

Department of Education

The Department of Education operates education and training units in each of the Youth Justice centres so that young people can continue their studies while in custody.

Youth Justice, under the Department of Communities and Justice, and the Department of Education are committed to working together on the education and training of young people in custody. Both agencies work together to:

• improve detainees' education and training standards and their confidence and skills to re-enter education, training or the workforce after they leave custody
• promote the building of educational, vocational and training pathways for young people.

All standards of education are catered for, from basic literacy and numeracy skills to higher levels of learning. 

All centres also have vocational instructors who provide vocational education to support young people's transition into the workforce by providing opportunities to obtain work experience, apprentice and traineeships, certifications and training in life skills.

Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network

Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network provide medical services for young people in detention through clinics in each Youth Justice centre. Their services include primary care, drug and alcohol, mental health, women’s and midwifery care, oral health, Aboriginal health, and a range of allied health services. The Network also plays a key role in intervention programs to divert people away from custody.

NSW Police

Youth Justice Conferencing works directly and collaboratively with NSW Police in fulfilling the agencies' responsibilities for the diversion from court and custody of eligible young people under the Young Offenders Act 1997.

Community organisations

Youth Justice engages community and non-government organisations to deliver a range of early intervention supports that work to prevent long-term involvement in the criminal justice system.

Key aspects of these programs and services include:

• an evidence-based approach based on the "what works" principles
• an holistic approach to working with young people as individuals
• improved collaboration and cooperation between Youth Justice and service providers
• improved flexibility and responsiveness
• improved service provider accountability, outcome and performance measurement.

Some examples of the programs and services that Youth Justice works in collaboration with community organisations to deliver include:

• Casework Support Program
• Rural Residential Rehabilitation Services
• Stand as One Mentoring Program.

View more information about Youth Justice programs and services.

Other partners

Other partners that Youth Justice NSW works closely with include:

• Centrelink - for the provision of Centrelink services to young offenders in Youth Justice Centres and on community orders
• the Civil Chaplaincies Advisory Committee - to provide chaplaincy services in Youth Justice Centres
• Fire and Rescue NSW - in supporting young people who have been found guilty of fire related offences and are required to attend a Youth Justice Conference.