A government spokeswoman said the workers would “help young people to connect with local support services so they can develop the skills to make better life choices”.

“Community based youth workers work and engage with young people in general as well as those identified as at-risk of entering the justice system,” the spokeswoman said. 

“It is all about investing in early intervention to help young people get their lives on track so they can have a better future.

“From a community point of view it is also about reducing the rates of crime committed by youth and to also break the cycle of youth re-offending,” she said. 

Katherine team leader Peter Fletcher said the workers would be involved in pre-court diversion, probation and parole. ​

“We will be consulting with young people first from established youth groups and get their perspective on how we can help them,” Mr Fletcher said. 

“Then we will be talking to the services sector like YMCA, Anglicare and police and working with them to make sure we are not replicating or crossing over any services. 

“It is all about building relationships with young people, the whole team are locals so we already have existing relationships and connections within the community,” he said. 

Mr Fletcher said the team of outreach workers would be working to break the cycle of youth re-offending by focusing on reintegration into the community. 

“A key gap has been reintegration after detention, we want to get into that space and see them reintegrate into schools and show respect for the community,” Mr Fletcher said. 

“Some people just want to see these kids given a kick and sent to Don Dale for the rest of their lives but that doesn’t really work.

“There is a lot of research into restorative justice practices rather than just detention, we want to take a different approach to youth offending, a more community based restorative approach. 

“We will be closely aligned with the youth justice principles to ensure accountability for young people so they are taking responsibility for their actions,” he said. 

“Victim offender conferencing is a great example of that, it is really powerful and young offenders face their actions head on.”

Member for Katherine Sandra Nelson said the Youth Outreach Workers would work with Katherine youth through diversion programs and after-hours activities to stop crime before it happens, as well as providing support to young people out of detention to stop re-offending.

“After years of lobbying and advocating the previous government for a service in Katherine with a specific focus on our disengaged and at risk youth, I’m so pleased that our government listened and is taking action to break the cycle of crime,” Ms Nelson said.

“The Youth Outreach Workers will connect the work of NGOs, Northern Territory police, schools and families to provide individualised support for young people at risk of offending.

“When I met the Katherine team at their graduation in Darwin I know that our town is in good hands, they are an extremely enthusiastic and experienced team of locals who I know will make a positive difference to how we work with young people in Katherine,” she said. 

“Five Youth Outreach Workers have started in Katherine this week, with at least two more to be recruited for the region.”

Peter Fletcher - Team Leader Katherine

Peter is from Katherine. He has degrees in criminology and criminal justice, and psychology, and a diploma in community services. Peter has experience as a youth outreach officer and child protection practitioner and has recently been working with Territory Families as a team leader and acting manager.

Clint Buckland

Clint is from Katherine. A former correctional officer with NT Correction Services, he has a qualification in correctional practice. Clint has experience as a youth worker at both the Alice Springs and Don Dale juvenile detention centres and he has also worked as a teacher’s assistant.

Louyse Gravenall

Louyse is from Katherine and is studying for a Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention. Louyse has been a case support worker with Territory Families since 2011 and previously worked as a tenancy manager with Territory Housing.

Kelly Mumme

Kelly is from Katherine. A qualified counsellor, she has worked as a house parent caring for boarding children from different cultures. Previously, Kelly worked as a Community Development Program senior employment consultant and project coordinator.

Kim Neilson

Kim is from Katherine and has qualifications in teaching and Indigenous education work. Since 1999 Kim has been working as an Aboriginal Education Worker at Katherine High School.