By Nicole Precel
A POLICE strategy is helping young people at risk across Hobsons Bay get the services they need.
The Hobsons Bay Youth Referral Strategy is helping not only young offenders but anyone at risk between the ages of 10 and 24.
The strategy has been running for more than 12 months and was done in collaboration with Latitude; Directions for Young People, Western Local Community Partnerships, WynBay Local Learning and Employment Network (WynBay LLEN), Youth Substance Abuse Service, Drugs and Alcohol Services West.
Since the beginning of the strategy, half the offenders that completed the referrals have not reoffended.
Hobsons Bay Youth Resource Officer Senior Constable Scott Sutton said young people needed to be at the stage where they knew they needed support.
“I can’t refer people who don’t want to change, I can only help those people who want to change their behaviour,” he said.
Once a young person attends the police station, they fill out a survey about their current circumstances including questions about employment, education, living conditions and counselling and with their consent or their parent’s consent are referred to the appropriate agency for support.
“It’s about connecting and engaging with the community. Reducing crime is not just a police issue it’s a community issue and we have to work together, we can’t do it by ourselves,” he said.
Latitude; Directions for Young People manager Rhonda Collins said these kinds of partnerships and strategies were very important in reaching young people that may require help.
She said Latitude receives funding for 220 young people, but they assist at least an extra 50 on top of that, with only two case managers covering the Hobsons Bay area and through community partnerships Latitude were able to help more people than they would otherwise be able to.
Latitude is the local supported accommodation assisted program, is funded by Department of Human Services and is a non-for-profit organisation.
