Young people in Port Augusta and surrounds are being diverted from antisocial activities and encouraged to take part in community-based recreation activities as part of the new Assertive Outreach Youth Response, coordinated by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Developed in consultation with local service providers and the community, the program aims to address concerns about anti-social behaviour in three ways:

• an increase in recreational activities
• a dedicated roving team providing support for young people
• an ongoing Outreach Service based at the Port Augusta Youth Centre.

The Youth Outreach Team, identifiable in purple branded vests, play a vital role in the response, connecting young people with the assistance they need. The team are present where young people gather, working with young people to provide safe transport, safe activities, and referrals where necessary to other services.

Since the program’s introduction, the team have supported a range of recreational activities and support services in the region, including school holiday activities, skateboarding, parkour, basketball competitions, barbeques, family days and a boxing program in partnership with SA Police and the Youth Centre.

Collaboration is key to the success of the response, which taps into the knowledge and experience of local service providers, including Headspace, Port Augusta Youth Centre, Uniting Country SA and the Port Augusta City Council, to achieve the best possible outcome for both young people and the community.

DHS are also working closely with service providers and the community to gain regular feedback to ensure it meets the needs of both young people and the community. The response has been positive with one community member commenting, “I appreciate the DHS Youth Outreach team and Headspace for coming out and spending time with us, getting to know us and supporting a way forward for our young people, one day at a time.”

The Assertive Outreach Youth Response is part of the upcoming Port Augusta Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, which has been codesigned with the local community and will be launched early next year.