12. Youth Programs as Educational and Child Safety Strategies
A youth development program can provide educational opportunities for older youth who do not engage with the post-primary educational opportunities that exist in the region. Over time, the youth could be connected to education as something relevant to their needs and lives. It should be remembered that youth voluntarily attend youth programs with no coercion required. This is an opportunity that cannot be wasted given the general lack of engagement with schools.
A more creative approach to youth programs is needed, with education staff placed with programs to ensure there is a capacity for engaging youth in learning and training. It should be emphasised that a youth development program is not just discos and sport. Although these are part of the picture, the opportunities exist within a well run program to engage the wider Indigenous community in planning and designing the youth activities, which can include health, education and other outcomes being developed over time.
The safety of the children is greatly improved when there is a regular engagement with skilled and supported youth development workers. The youth programs provide support and care for the children provided by people who are not part of the local community and who thus do not have to comply with the interfamily boundaries of acceptable behaviour that exist and which are enforceable by violence against the worker and other members of their family.
A well supported worker can identify at risk children and refer them to agencies for assessment and support, as well as provide a safe environment within the community. The worker’s support should include access to experienced caseworkers and relevant training, as well as debriefing services and other stress management strategies. The workers need close supervision, but not micromanagement. We find the workers are better able to respond to the community when they are involved in decision making, as opposed to having all decisions made by people who are not in the community and are not responsible for enacting the policies.