Where we are up to
Aboriginal Youth Justice (AYJ) provides professional development opportunities for Aboriginal Youth Justice Programs which includes workers from the:
- Community Based Aboriginal Youth Justice Program
- Aboriginal Early School Leaver Program
- Aboriginal Youth Support Service
- Aboriginal Intensive Support Program
- Aboriginal Liaison Officers.
Professional development is offered through:
- Beginning Practice Induction sessions
- professional development opportunities
- cultural and networking activities.
The next Induction session will occur prior to the end of 2021 as a number of new workers have commenced.
Beginning Practice Induction sessions are offered as an orientation to new workers in the program as well as those requesting a refresher. The Beginning Practice training was last held in October 2020 and the training consisted of information on Youth Justice System Overview; Courts; Aboriginal Youth Justice Program; case note recording and privacy issues.
Aboriginal Youth Justice Program Network meetings occur biannually. Since COVID-19 restrictions have been in place, Aboriginal Youth Justice have been unable to deliver face-to-face sessions and are now hosting shorter monthly meetings online via Microsoft Teams.
Meetings to date have focused on:
- updates from Aboriginal Youth Justice
- self-care
- engagement with young people during COVID-19
- consultations on the Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy
- an opportunity for workers to share their experiences working during the pandemic.
Once restrictions allow for face-to-face delivery of network forums AYJ will convene workers across the state for a face-to-face forum. AYJ are exploring training in Trauma and mental health for a face-to-face professional development.