Policing Partnerships

Collaborative Intervention, Response and Problem Solving to Achieve Greater Outcomes for Youth.

Senior Constable Jodie Gregg-Smith North East Community Programs SA Police

Crime in Rural Communities Conference University of New England – Armidale - 2006

This presentation will aim to……

Challenge the processes and mindsets within the justice culture Explore new ways of solving old problems Celebrate transferable successes Reflect on the need to be innovative and flexible

Based on the premise that…… young people

Have complex and changing needs Need consistency and stability Are entitled to support and advocacy Have limited support in rural communities Are typically going to come to agency attention when their life is in turmoil or at crisis point

Strategies and Solutions

The following model is one which has been developed and adopted in Port Pirie, South Australia…..it is not entirely original however it is flexible and innovative and can change to the needs of individual young people as well as the needs of a progressive, proud rural community.

Interagency Consultancy Group (ICG)

 SA Police (Youth & Community Officer)  Department of Education & Children’s Services (DECS)  FAMILIES SA  Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Aim of the ICG

To share information relating to youth in the region who are mutual clients of each agency or likely to be, due to their behaviour, lifestyle or social circumstances.

To identify and develop strategies which will reduce youth offending, risk taking behaviour, truanting while improving their individual opportunities and personal outcomes.

Role of ICG

To develop interagency collaboration in T & D programs To explore joint involvement in developmental programs for youth To discuss the nature of new referrals To refer individual cases to the case management process

Role of ICG

To maintain overview of ongoing cases and review when necessary.

To maintain an overview of resources available within the region to support youth and adolescents.

To identify issues which have a global impact on the community and seek the support of networks able to promote and facilitate community education and support.

Support Agencies in Case Management

Options Coordination Youth Court of SA Aboriginal Community Centre Drug & Alcohol Services of SA CAMHS CYFS Reconnect Amity Youth Accommodation Services Uniting Care Wesley available – multiple programs/services JPET Employment Directions Ask Employment

Support Agencies in Case Management

General Practitioners/Medical Practitioners Schools School Counselors BoysTown Centacare Parent Advocacy Community Bridging Services Well Women’s Clinic – Women’s Health Aboriginal Health Aboriginal Drug & Alcohol Services (ADAC) Centrelink

Youth Programs

FLIPSIDE (Innovative Community Action Networks) Pathways to the Future (ICAN) Futures Unlimited (ICAN) True Colours Xtreem Choices Blue Light (Camps, Skate Comps,Discos, Concerts) Stepping Out Victim Awareness Program Mentoring

Community Capacity Building

The

Port Pirie Youth Sector Network

(PPYSN) and the

Aboriginal & Community Action Network

(ACAN) Have the community capacity to initiate a broader response to issues identified at the ICG process, ie, drug use, truancy, community apathy, skate park, bullying, media lobbying etc.

All members of the ICG are also actively involved with PPYSN and/or ACAN.

Benefits of a Shared Approach

No ‘reinventing the wheel’ Greater resource availability Rapid response to issues Strengthened relationships between agencies Greater measurable success rates for each individual stakeholder Better outcomes for youth on all levels

Benefits to Police

Crime Prevention Reduced rates of recidivism Greater diversion options More effective administration of Juvenile Justice System Crime Reduction/Prevention by development of an early intervention model Greater partnerships between all agencies and police on all issues Wider acceptance of police involvement in Youth Programs(delivery & development)

This graph demonstrates a reduction in youth offending by 39% in two years.

100

200

80

160

60

120

40

80

Reduction in Juvenile Offences

40 20

0

0

1st Qtr

181

3rd Contributing Factors………

120 112

East West North

improved diversion options created through shared and holistic approaches to youth needs Stringent bail management with continual information sharing between all agencies and ICG to know the whereabouts and movements of young offenders on bail conditions at all times Reduction in recidivism due to more meaningful, relevant and sustainable programs young offenders are diverted into through the Juvenile Justice System.

Needs assessments on the entire needs of a young person by addressing the social, educational, health emotional and justice needs through joined up services and problem solving Identification of youth at risk of offending and diversion into other corporate crime prevention and youth engagement programs supported by the community and delivered by police. ie Blue Light. ICANs etc.

Thank you for your attention, I Welcome any Questions?

Senior Constable Jodie Gregg-Smith Youth & Community Officer North East Local Service Area SA Police [email protected]

P: 08 86384029