What is the purpose of the engagement process?
The redesign and commissioning of at risk youth services provides an opportunity to realign and enhance service delivery and coordination in accordance with At Risk Youth Strategy 2022-2027 (the Strategy). This process supports the Strategy’s overarching goal of improving outcomes for vulnerable young people, particularly Aboriginal young people, by strengthening the service system and ensuring it is responsive, inclusive and place based.
The Department of Communities (Communities) is currently redesigning the existing service system – established in 2014 – to better meet the needs of young people at risk and their families. As part of this work, Communities undertook targeted, place-based stakeholder engagement in 2025. This engagement involved current service providers and broader sector stakeholders to gather insights on local issues, service gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Feedback from this engagement will inform the future design and commissioning of services, ensuring they are better aligned with the Strategy and tailored to the unique needs of communities across Western Australia.
What are the key objectives of this work?
To support implementation of the Strategy.
- Design a service system that is place-based, culturally responsive, trauma informed and tailored to the diverse needs of young people.
- Services that are responsive to the needs of Aboriginal young people.
How will our input be used?
Input from stakeholders will be analysed to identify system gaps, strengths and opportunities. This analysis will inform design recommendations presented to the State Government, helping to shape future service delivery and investment decisions.
Who are the decision makers and what stage is the process at?
Communities, in collaboration with State Government, will consider recommendations informed by this process. Stakeholder engagement occurred between August and October 2025, which is now informing the service redesign and commissioning process.
Is this part of a broader reform or funding change?
Yes, it forms part of a broader strategic reform aligned with the Strategy. While no immediate funding changes are confirmed, this process will inform future policy and investment decisions.
Will this impact our current service delivery model or funding?
No immediate changes will occur. It is intended that services will continue under current agreements until 30 September 2027. However, feedback may inform future models post this period.
Are there expectations for service redesign or integration?
Yes. A key objective is to identify opportunities to redesign service models to reflect best practice and improve coordination across sectors.
What data or evidence is being used to inform this process?
The process is informed by a comprehensive desktop review, service mapping and feedback from the At Risk Youth Reference and Implementation Groups. Ongoing stakeholder engagement will provide further evidence.
Will there be support for capacity building or transition?
While funding support has not been confirmed, Communities acknowledges the need to support providers through any transition arising from future commissioning.
Will this process lead to funding cuts or redistribution?
No funding changes are confirmed at this stage. However, the findings will guide future investment advice to Government.
Is this process a precursor to competitive tendering or marketisation?
No immediate competitive tendering is planned. This process is focused on collaborative engagement and system improvement. Procurement processes will be informed by the engagement outcomes.
How are diverse voices being included (e.g. lived experience)?
The Strategy outlines the importance of including the voices of young people with lived experience of being at risk to identify ways to reduce barriers to seeking help and staying engaged with support services.
Communities will work with place-based service providers and stakeholders to identify the best approach to engaging with young people with lived experience.
Will smaller or regional providers be equally heard?
Yes. The process takes a place-based approach, ensuring regional and small providers have tailored opportunities to participate in virtual and face-to-face engagement.
Is there cultural safety built into the engagement process?
Yes. Cultural safety is a core principle. Communities will be engaging with ACCOs and other culturally competent partners to ensure respectful and inclusive engagement.
Will there be transparency around the outcomes of this engagement?
Yes. It is intended that place-based summaries will be provided to Government and shared with stakeholders.
Will a summary or report be shared with participants?
It is Communities’ intention to provide feedback to all stakeholders involved, outlining how their input has shaped the outcomes.
How will feedback be acknowledged or responded to?
Feedback will be reviewed, analysed and integrated into planning. Stakeholders will receive updates on key decisions and findings throughout the process.
What are the timelines and key milestones?
• August – October 2025: Targeted regional engagement
• Post-October 2025: Data analysis and service design considerations
• 2026 – 2027: Service considerations developed and implemented during the extension period
• September 2027: Commissioning activities, which may include procurement.
How can we participate (e.g. surveys, workshops, interviews)?
Engagement opportunities will include face-to-face sessions, workshops, forums and online options via Microsoft Teams. Providers will be contacted directly with further details.
Will there be follow-up opportunities or ongoing dialogue?
Yes. Communities is committed to continued collaboration throughout the commissioning process, with further opportunities for feedback and engagement beyond 2025.
What is this work being informed by?
This work is informed by a combination of best practice principles, evidence-based research and stakeholder insights. Key sources include:
- The Strategy, which sets the strategic direction for improving outcomes for vulnerable young people.
- Desktop Reviews and Service Mapping, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the current service landscape and identify areas for improvement.
- Feedback from the At Risk Youth Reference and Implementation Groups, which offer valuable perspectives from sector experts and community representatives.
- Ongoing stakeholder engagement, which ensures that local voices, including those with lived experience, inform the design of future services.
What are the next steps?
- We will gather feedback from key stakeholders following the 2025 engagement program to consider how future service provision can be tailored to effectively meet the needs of young people at risk in each region.
- The feedback, input and data collected will be analysed to identify gaps, opportunities and areas for improvements in the service system.
- The findings and recommendations will be presented to the State Government to inform the future service system for young people at risk.
What resources are available for services and other stakeholders?
- At Risk Youth Strategy 2022-2027
- Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021-2029
- Whole of Government ACCO Strategy
- Communities’ ACCO Strategy 2022-2032
- National Agreement on Closing the Gap
- All paths lead to a home: WA’s 10-year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030
- Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy (PDF, 800KB)
- State Commissioning Strategy, Community Services Implementation Plan 2024-2026
- Financial Guidelines for Government Agencies – Commissioning Community Services (PDF, 760KB)
- National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031
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