Case study: Mission Australia

Robert (not his real name) is 15. He’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, likes playing rugby league, and is training to be a mechanic. 

Robert was released from custody in July 2023. He has a history of high-risk offending and substance misuse, and his primary carer has health issues.

Upon his release, Robert reconnected with Mission Australia. He’d been working with them since he was 13 and, at his initial assessment, a caseworker identified that he needed help with cultural connection and understanding his family history, employment, and accessing a positive headspace. 

Robert completed the Mission Australia cultural identity program: Deadly Me which helped him connect to his culture and identity. He was assigned a STAR Indigenous Mentor who was himself born and raised in the same region and has provided him with ongoing support. 

He graduated the state government run youth justice program for children who are at risk of entering or have left the youth justice system: Transition 2 Success as an outstanding achiever. Following that, he was offered a traineeship as a mechanic with the Australian Training Workforce in Cairns. 

As of March 2024, Robert was regularly and actively participating in group sessions and activities including cultural mentoring, community fun days and adventure therapy. He was making friends with other children who were engaged in society and willingly conversing with the workers supporting and mentoring him. 

Over a three-year period, the support service had helped him move into a place where he attended all his court appearances, reduced offending behaviours, completed his court orders successfully, and complied with youth justice and bail orders. On top of that, he was socially engaged and working towards a profession.