In this audit we focused on how well agencies divert young people out of the justice system before they end up in court. We did not look at the court diversion programs or services available to young people who have been sentenced or are in custody.
In this audit we assessed if agencies effectively divert young people in contact with police away from court, as described in the Young Offenders Act 1994, by providing the right services, in the right places, at the right times.
We followed 3 lines of inquiry:
- Do police divert young people when possible, in accordance with the Young Offenders Act 1994?
- Do young people get to access services and programs that meet their individual needs?
- Do agencies have an accurate picture of how well youth justice diversion is working?
We audited the Western Australia Police (WA Police), the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department of Communities (previously the Department for Child Protection and Family Services). We also met with a range of other stakeholders, including:
- His Honour Judge Denis Reynolds, President of the Children’s Court
- His Honour Chief Justice Wayne Martin
- Department of Education
- Mental Health Commission
- the former Department of Aboriginal Affairs
- the former Disability Services Commission
- the Commissioner for Children and Young People
- the Inspector of Custodial Services
- the Ombudsman.
We analysed police data on offences by young people from 2012 to 2016 inclusive. We also examined documents and interviewed police officers and agency staff. We visited 3 metropolitan and 3 regional police stations, and nearby DoJ youth justice offices to speak to staff and review files:
- Kensington
- Midland
- Joondalup
- Geraldton
- South Hedland
- Fitzroy Crossing.
This performance audit was conducted under section 18 of the Auditor General Act 2006 and in accordance with Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards. Performance audits primarily focus on the effective management and operation of agency programs and activities. The approximate cost of tabling this report was $441,000.