- Legal Aid WA's new Youth Bail Service underway in Armadale
- Support workers help young people meet bail conditions and access services
- Program aims to prevent re-offending and achieve positive long-term outcomes
- Cook Government building safe communities
Expanded support is being provided for young people facing the criminal justice system in Perth's south-east under an innovative new bail program aimed at reducing rates of re-offending.
Legal Aid WA's Youth Bail Service, which is supported by the Cook Government, is helping children aged 10-17 with complex needs who are facing criminal charges in the Armadale Children's Court.
Youth bail support workers are providing intensive case management for those who are suitable for bail, to help them meet their bail conditions and avoid re-offending.
The service offers holistic, wraparound support for young people through assistance with transport, accommodation, education and training, appointment reminders, and referrals to health, welfare and justice-related programs which is expected to help the individual children while also fostering a safer community.
Staff act as a contact point to help young people troubleshoot any issues that arise, work closely with the lawyers representing them, and engage with their families to ensure they have access to supports.
Legal Aid WA has been operating the same service in Geraldton since August last year.
The program is part of a $2.1 million funding package for new youth bail services by Legal Aid and the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA (ALSWA).
ALSWA provides similar services to clients in Perth, Geraldton and the Kimberley.
The expansion of Legal Aid's service follows the launch this month in Armadale and Geraldton of On Track to Thrive, a pilot program supporting children aged 5-9 considered at risk of entering the justice system.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"Our government is redoubling its efforts to make the community safer by reducing young people's contact with the criminal justice system.
"By helping young people meet their bail conditions and supporting them and their families, this service can contribute to achieving better outcomes for individuals and communities.
"Providing a stronger link between the Courts, lawyers, and community programs will help make the programs more accessible for young people accused of a crime. Legal Aid WA is well placed to provide that link."
As stated by Legal Aid WA director Helen De Brito:
"The new Youth Bail Service is an extension of Legal Aid WA's Disability Advocacy and Referral Diversion for Young people Project which began in 2022 and has proven the benefits of providing integrated legal and social support services.
"We know from that and other programs that providing wraparound support during the bail period and beyond can help people comply with bail, avoid re-offending and improve their personal circumstances."
