Youth Worker Practice Network Update

The Youth Worker Practice Network is a community of practice for youth workers, who meet regularly to share knowledge and experience, learn about new research and ways to support young people, and make connections with other services that may be able to support the young people and families they work with. 

Sessions are held on the third Thursday of each month, except during school holidays. The next session will be held on Thursday 17 June.

22 April – Outreach Youth Work

Youth Workers met and discussed outreach youth work – looking at the different ways that ‘outreach’ looks in practice, the differences between Inreach, Outreach, and Street Based Youth Work / Detached Youth Work, why it necessary to connect with young people who have difficulties accessing service, and discussing the barriers to achieving good outcomes through outreach. 

20 May – Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility

This discussion was focused on the work currently happening in the ACT to raise the Minimum age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR). Youth workers were updated on this process, and the reasoning behind this work. They provided practical advice on the types of support that young people and families need in order to reduce their contact and engagement with the Justice system, and the barriers to community services providing those supports.