Youth Justice Blueprint 2024-2034

A Briefing Document​
This document summarises the key themes and important ideas outlined in the "Youth Justice Blueprint 2024–2034," published by the Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People. The Blueprint outlines the strategic direction for Tasmania’s youth justice system for the next decade.

 

Core Focus:

Therapeutic and Preventative Approach
The Blueprint champions a shift from a traditional punitive approach to a therapeutic and preventative model, prioritising the wellbeing of children and young people in contact with the youth justice system. This model acknowledges the vulnerability of young offenders and their need for support and healing to address underlying causes of offending.

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This is articulated clearly: "A therapeutic approach in youth justice settings frames children and young people as vulnerable and in need of support and healing, as opposed to punishment or fear."

 

Key Strategies
Five key strategies underpin the Blueprint's vision:

1. Prioritise prevention and early intervention:
   This involves investing in family wellbeing initiatives, supporting young people's engagement with education and their communities, and addressing risk factors associated with offending.

2. Ensure diversion from the justice system is early and lasting:
   Expanding diversionary options like cautioning, conferencing, and alternative education programs aims to prevent young people from entering the formal justice system and becoming entrenched in offending behaviour. The document emphasises, "By using every opportunity to divert children and young people away from the youth justice system, we can prevent offending behaviour from becoming entrenched and a young person entering into a ‘career’ of offending."

3. Establish a therapeutically based criminal justice response:
   This involves providing a range of interventions and support options that address individual needs, target the driving factors behind offending behaviour, and build upon strengths, with detention being a last resort.

4. Integrate and connect whole-of-government and community service systems:
   This promotes a collaborative approach involving government agencies, Aboriginal organisations, non-government organisations, and communities to provide holistic support for young people and their families.

5. Provide an appropriately trained, supported, and culturally aligned therapeutic workforce:
   This focuses on equipping staff with the skills and support needed to deliver trauma-informed, culturally sensitive services in line with a child-safe environment.

​Key Initiatives

The Blueprint outlines several specific initiatives including:

1. Raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 years and the age of detention to 16 years: This aligns with the Commission of Inquiry recommendations and establishes Tasmania as a leader in this reform area.

2. Developing an Aboriginal youth justice strategy: This will focus on self-determination and culturally appropriate responses to address the over-representation of Aboriginal children and young people in the youth justice system.

3. Expanding bail support programs: This includes providing accommodation options and therapeutic support to prevent unnecessary detention.

4. Increasing access to legal supports: This ensures young people understand and participate fully in legal processes.

5. Providing a range of therapeutic intervention programs: These will address specific needs and offending behaviours, including programs for harmful sexual behaviours and family violence.

6. Strengthening community-based supervision: This emphasises community-based interventions as a more effective alternative to custodial settings.

 

Implementation and Evaluation

The Blueprint will be implemented over 10 years through a series of action plans. A strong focus on monitoring, reporting, and evaluation will track progress, inform the community, and ensure accountability. The Blueprint will be a living document, allowing for adjustments based on data and community feedback.

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Alignment with Other Initiatives
The Blueprint aligns with other Tasmanian Government initiatives, including the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy, the Strong Families, Safe Kids reforms, and the review of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

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Overall Vision
The Blueprint envisions a future where fewer children and young people enter the youth justice system, and those who do receive support that addresses their individual needs and helps them transition to a positive future. This will require a commitment from all stakeholders to embrace a therapeutic approach and work collaboratively to create a safer and more supportive environment for young Tasmanians.