Youth Justice cultural units
Importance of a cultural unit
A cultural unit is a point of contact to:
- ensure we best support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the youth justice system
- give cultural advice and information
- communicate with the right people about cultural matters.
As well as supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the youth justice system, our cultural units have helped Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members to broaden their skills and experience.
Youth Justice Cultural Unit
The Youth Justice Cultural Unit works with other teams across Youth Justice, including regions. They embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural perspectives, knowledge, participation and capability across the youth justice system.
The Youth Justice Cultural Unit provides secretariat support to the First Nations Action Board and works in consultation with the Board.
The cultural unit also:
- provides cultural guidance and input in senior departmental forums
- facilitates cultural capability training
- helps the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training to develop operational policies, procedures, programs and systems.
Youth detention centre cultural units
Cultural units and cultural liaison officers provide cultural support in youth detention centres by:
- working with the leadership team
- directly supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention centres
- engaging with internal and external stakeholders to provide essential frontline support to promote, establish and maintain young people's cultural identities and connections
- providing training to staff and key stakeholders to ensure that engagement and services are culturally appropriate
- encouraging centre-wide participation in significant cultural traditions, customs and protocols
- participating in case planning processes to support young people's transition and reintegration back into their communities.