Beyond YJS (Youth Justice Service): Holistic Service Provision and Innovative Practice – The Journey so far

Leanne Strommen
Centrecare Incorporated
Executive Manager
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Advanced Certificate in Human Services (Disabilities)
• Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Housing Management and Policy
Leanne has diverse experience in the social services sector, including tenancy support services in social housing, Family Support Networks, intensive family support services, humanitarian settlement programs, adult justice programs, youth justice services, homelessness programs, domestic violence programs, out of home care for Aboriginal children, Aboriginal specific outreach services, victim support services, substance abuse services, general counselling, substance abuse services and general outreach services. All of these services have target groups with challenging behaviours. Leanne was also employed by the Disability Services Commission as a social trainer for five years prior to her commencement at Centrecare. She has worked for Centrecare for over 25 years in senior management positions and has developed a strong understanding of the local needs of the community and effective responses. She is responsible for staffing, service delivery including practice models and approaches, and staff professional development. Leanne reports directly to the General Manager and is based in Gosnells and Cannington.

Daniel Morrison
Wungening Aboriginal Corporation
Chief Executive Officer

Jennifer Snell
UnitingCare West
Practice Lead Justice Services
Jennifer is passionate about developing and providing programmes that promote accountability and responsibility as catalysts for change. She believes that engaged programme participants who are supported with respect, transparency and positive regard, whilst also being held accountable for their own actions, have the capacity to change and this in turn changes our community.
Centrecare Incorporated (lead agency), Wungening Aboriginal Corporation and UnitingCare West have established a formal legal partnership for youth justice services in rehabilitation and emotional wellbeing in the metropolitan region including Banksia Hill Detention Centre (BHDC). This service reaches up to 120 young people and their families in community at any given time and the provision of counselling and groups to young people detained in BHDC. We provide: Uniform governance and systems development. Considerable experience as organisations in outcomes frameworks and their implementation. Significant experience in the design, delivery and management of services that address complex social issues. Best practice in youth service provision. Culturally secure service delivery. The same service practice and service delivery from all three agencies as a fully integrated approach including same assessments, support and access to all added value service options from the partnering agencies. Uniform client recording data base. The BeyondYJS provides a through care service model, which is a co-ordinated and integrated approach to case managing young people who intersect with the Department of Justice - from their first point of contact to the completion of their order and/or their transition back into the community. This provides continuity of support and more seamless service delivery for the young person and their family and is a recognised model in reducing recidivism. A key component of the through-care is receiving support from the same workers and/or team. There have been many learnings we would like to share about our journey with young people and each other.