A TEAM deployed to engage with at-risk young people throughout the Ipswich region has marked its first year with 7200 engagements.
The Ipswich Youth Co-Responder Team (YCRT) meets with at-risk young people, along with their caregivers and stakeholders, to help enhance community safety in the region.
Launching in Ipswich in July 2023, the program was designed to see specially trained police officers work alongside youth justice experts as part of an early intervention and prevention initiative to proactively connect with young people who are at risk of or have come into contact with the youth justice system.
Officers in the team work around the clock, conducting a range of early intervention activities including bail compliance support, transporting young people to safety, connecting young people and their families to support services, including those that assist with housing, health, domestic and family violence, education, and employment, and helping them explore pathways away from crime.
In its first year, the Ipswich YCRT has had nearly 2500 engagements with young people, as well as 4700 interactions with family members and stakeholders.
The team was created to help break the cycle of youth offending and work to make meaningful change, support young people, reduce victimisation, and enhance community safety.
Ipswich YCRT Hub Co-ordinator Belinda Phillips said she was proud of the team’s efforts to guide young people over the past year.
“Seeing what young people have achieved with the support of our youth co-responders is incredibly rewarding,” Detective Acting Sergeant Phillips said. “The Ipswich community is full of dedicated people, organisations and services that help give young people and their loved ones the tools to re-engage in school, work and community.
