Practice Videos
Youth Justice
This short video supports Better Futures practitioners working with young people with a care experience who are interacting with the youth justice system.
It explores how structural disadvantage, increased surveillance and experiences of trauma can shape young people’s contact with police and the justice system, and how practitioners can respond in ways that are relational, trauma-informed and grounded in accountability.
The video highlights the important role Development Coaches and Community Connectors can play in advocating alongside young people, strengthening protective relationships, and staying connected during court processes or periods in custody.
What the video covers
- The relationship between care experience, increased surveillance, and contact with the police and youth justice system
- How trauma and repeated system involvement can contribute to the criminalisation of young people
- The impact early experiences with police may have on future interactions, trust and engagement
- The importance of identifying other community-based supports when young people are experiencing challenges
- How Better Futures practitioners can support young people’s confidence, self-belief and self-determination
- The role of practitioners in engaging with youth justice professionals and lawyers to provide context about a young person’s strengths, circumstances and support needs
- Why it is critical to stay connected to young people through court processes and during custody, rather than withdrawing support at times of heightened vulnerability
Who it’s for
- Better Futures Development Coaches
- Better Futures Community Connectors
- Care services working alongside young people involved with the youth justice system
How to use it
Use this video:
- in team meetings, reflective practice sessions or internal training
- to build understanding of how structural disadvantage and trauma can shape young people’s interactions with police and the justice system
- to support reflection on advocacy, relational practice and practitioner accountability
- to strengthen practice around working alongside lawyers, courts and youth justice professionals
- alongside supporting resources to continue conversations about trauma-informed, relationship-based support for young people with a care experience.
