At-risk youth in Alice Springs to get more temporary accommodation, assessments

Efforts to take at-risk unsupervised children off the street and into a safe place overnight are set to increase. Here’s how it will work.

More temporary accommodation will be created for at-risk youth in Alice Springs. Picture: Dan Peled

Efforts to take at-risk youth in Alice Springs to temporary overnight accommodation have been bolstered.

The NT government, through its partnership with Saltbush Social Enterprise, has increased the number of beds for children found unsupervised and at-risk.

Twelve additional beds have been created and are in effect now, but a government spokesman said this figure could increase to meet demand.

It is unclear how many were beds were previously available.

Territory Families Minister Kate Worden said the service would be used only when the child could not safely return home.

“If a young child doesn’t have anywhere safe to go and is out on the streets at all hours of the night and morning, clearly something isn’t right,” Ms Worden said.

“In the first instance, we will always try to get these children home but if we can’t because it isn’t safe, that is when this program kicks in.

Territory Families Minister Kate Worden said the boost to temporary youth accommodation in Alice Springs would also come with additional support services. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

“Having Saltbush Enterprises expand their work into this program, we have more accommodation to increase safe place options, along with services to ensure the child and their family are getting the support they need.”

The new program is expected to see immediate assessments take place the day after a child’s overnight stay to address their situation.

“This assessment involves re-engaging the young person or the family with diversion or support, through to a care and protection response,” a government spokeswoman said.

“A child protection practitioner, an Aboriginal community worker and a male and female Saltbush staff member will operate from the accommodation.”

Those tasked with identifying at-risk youth on the streets include youth outreach and re-engagement officer foot patrols, Tangentyere’s night patrol and NT police.

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Originally published as At-risk youth in Alice Springs to get more temporary accommodation, assessments