Youth Justice Family-Led
Decision Making (YJFLDM)

Kurbingui Youth Development Family-Led Decision Making Program (YJFLDM) is a culturally appropriate approach aimed to work with young people to prevent re-offending through the participation of family, for the young people to be accountable to their own community/elders and work within their family on finding new ways to participate in important life and community activities, such as learning or earning (or both), they are in agreement to seek support or engage more in cultural and community events, sport and recreation, or address worries and concerns that can be mitigated by the family’s efforts.

The overall aim of the program is to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to make positive decisions to achieve change in their children’s behaviour, safety and ongoing cultural and practical support needs. The program will support practical self-determination in finding sustainable solutions to a child or young person’s offending behaviour.

Participants will have the authority to make important and significant decisions about their children and the young person. Each child will have the opportunity to engage by agreeing to change their behaviour with help and guidance from the family and local community.

Kurbingui Youth Development Family Led Decision Making Program is a culturally appropriate approach to working with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (aged 10-17 years of age). Family Led Decision Making is an independent approach to prevent young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from reoffending through participation of the family and the young person.

The program aims to reduce young people who are involved in the Youth Justice System or who are ‘at risk’ of entering the Youth Justice system or who are on release from detention. The overall aim is to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to make positive decisions to achieve change in the children’s behaviour, safety and ongoing cultural and practical support needs.

The program will support practical self-determination in finding long-term solutions to a child or young person’s offending behaviour. Family members and the young person who participate in Family Led Decision Making meetings will make important decisions about their children and young people. Each child/ young person will have a voice and an opportunity to be heard during the process with the help of their family, significant others and community.

The process will help young people be accountable for their actions and be encouraged to accept responsibility for their behaviour. Family, community and kin are included in key decision making regarding future pathways for the young person by coming together to develop a plan that will support the young person to make safer choices in the future.

You may be able to apply for a Family Led Decision Making process if the following is occurring for your family:

1. Download a copy of our Referral Form.
2. Complete all required sections and
3. Email to: YJFLDMReferrals@kurbingui.org.au

Once we receive your form one of our friendly Youth Justice Family Led Decision Making (YJFLDM) team members will soon be in contact with you.