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The over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the juvenile justice system is an ongoing social justice issue. Here we report on our latest research project within an ongoing industry partnership between staff at The Lighthouse and social work researchers from a regional Queensland University. The Lighthouse is a diversionary service provided by the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service (TAIHS) that supports young people who are at risk or high risk of offending. The primary aims of this study were to explore the experiences of young people using The Lighthouse diversionary service; and to recruit young people as peer researchers in discussions about the services provided to them. Key results revealed high priorities for participants were physical, emotional, and cultural safety, feeling supported and not judged, and having strong connections at the service so they felt they were among mates, friends, and family. We note lessons learned about undertaking peer research with young people, and highlight the distinctive role undertaken by Indigenous workers. Findings can contribute to informed social work practice and to available literature on engaging young people as peer researchers. IMPLICATIONS Young people at risk of offending want services where they feel safe and not judged. Participatory peer research with at-risk young people can contribute to informed, evidence-based social work. Greater recognition is needed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers play a distinctive role in maintaining cultural safety in practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth offending has received significant attention in recent years in Queensland and across Australia. While the voices of young people who are offending or at risk of offending are evident in some studies, other reports do not identify them as key stakeholders. A recent university–industry research collaboration sought to prioritise the voices of young people engaging with The Lighthouse, a diversionary service within Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Heath Services (TAIHS), through the use of qualitative, photovoice methods. The primary aim of this photovoice project was to capture the perceptions and needs of young people currently at risk of offending in order to help shape local service delivery. A thematic analysis enabled the identification of four key themes. Participants felt unsafe and under surveillance in public spaces; they wanted more amenities where they could enjoy being in the community with their peers; they reported that peers and family were very important to them; and they appreciated services on offer at The Lighthouse and acknowledged these services supported behavioural change. The findings provide a unique contribution to policy and service delivery focused on young people at risk of offending and to the literature on the use of photovoice methodologies. IMPLICATIONS Photovoice is a creative, participatory method that value adds to research outcomes through participant skill development. Young people participating in, or at risk of, offending can contribute to research, in turn informing policy and practice to better meet their needs. Seeing through the eyes of young people provides a unique perspective on community inclusion, safe spaces, and transformative practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia young people who are at risk of offending have attracted much media and policy attention. In recent times, policy reform has seen increased funding for social services delivery to support young people at risk of entering, or are currently in, the juvenile justice system. However, there is limited literature that explores how young people experience services delivered to them. This article reports on a systematic literature review exploring the voices of children and youth on social service delivery for young people who have offended or are at risk of offending. The review aimed to identify English language publications in the fifteen-year period from 2004 to 2018, critique their methodological quality, and analyse and describe the findings of identified studies. Through a search of electronic social sciences databases twelve (n = 12) eligible publications were identified, including six qualitative studies, one quantitative study and five reports. The review highlighted a scarcity of research on this topic but provided evidence about how young people who are at risk of offending experienced social services, and their recommendations for effective service delivery. IMPLICATIONS Practitioners need to create supportive, caring, and respectful environments that facilitate young people's agency and self-determination. Young people need information and clarification but may not always ask for it. Experiences of racism need to be acknowledged and racist attitudes actively addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]