In 2025, Communities undertook stakeholder engagement with existing service providers and other youth services in WA as part of the redesign and commissioning of At Risk Youth Services.
This work is focused on aligning service provision and coordination to the At Risk Youth Strategy 2022-2027, with the voices of young people with lived experience at the forefront.
To consider the future service system, state-wide sector engagement was conducted, involving District Leadership Groups (DLGs), Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), current service providers and other relevant stakeholders.
More than 440 people attended 30 workshops across the State, while individual meetings were also held with 53 current service providers. The redesign and commissioning of services will consider whole-of-government priorities, including the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy to develop services that are place-based, culturally responsive, trauma informed and tailored to the diverse needs of young people.
Communities has also partnered with the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) to ensure the voices of young people at risk are central to this work.
Approach
- Desktop review (January – July 2025). Research, literature review and regional approach to stakeholder engagement to identify community needs, gaps and opportunities.
- Stakeholder engagement (July – November 2025). State-wide activities with services and other key stakeholders, including young people with lived experience of being at risk.
- Commissioning (January 2026 – ongoing).
Continuum of Risk
The Strategy’s alignment with a continuum approach to risk of harm for young people (see note below). For further information, refer to page 19 of the At Risk Youth Strategy 2022-2027.
At Risk Youth Strategy 2022-2027 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Continuum of Risk: 'low risk of harm' to 'very high risk of harm' trajectory | |||
| Low risk of harm | Medium risk of harm | High risk of harm and a trajectory of poor life outcomes | Very high risk of harm and on a trajectory of poor life outcomes |
| Minimal vulnerabilities e.g. stable family; engaged in school; stressful situations managed through family, social supports and the mainstream service system. | Experiencing additional issues and difficulties e.g. some family conflict; low-level truancy; experimental alcohol and other drug use; and isolation from community. | Experiencing frequent situations that place them at higher risk e.g. couch surfing; disengaged from family and supports; not working or in education; exposure to family violence; risk-taking behaviours; suicide ideation and self-harm; and contact with police and statutory services. | Chaotic life patterns and entrenched/chronic issues that place them at very high risk e.g. ongoing alcohol and other drug misuse; mental health diagnosis; repeat contact with statutory services; multiple high risk behaviours; persistent and severe suicide ideation; self-harm and suicide attempts; high levels of trauma and emotional dysregulation; homelessness; and care arrangement challenges. |
Note: Risk can be viewed as a fluid and changing continuum, see the following documents:
- Guide to defining young people at risk (PDF, 374KB)
- Proposed future service system framework PDF, 520KB)
Frequently asked questions
Read FAQs for service providers around the redesign and commissioning of Youth At Risk services.
More information
To find out more you can contact our:
- Youth at Risk team at AtRiskYouthStrategy2022-2027@communities.wa.gov.au
- Commissioning team at AtRiskYouthServicesCommissioning@communities.wa.gov.au
Print this page
