WHAT WE DO
We take pride in supporting our community through strengths based, First Nation's led and developed services and programs. Engaging with disadvantaged young people and families in the NT
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B2A recognises access to education as either a protective factor when engaged, or a contributing factor to declined well-being when young people aren't feeling safe and supported.
Youth And Family wellbeing case management & mentoring
Beginning as a voluntary after-hours activity for young people at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, Brother to Another is an initiative developed from the voices of young people, families and communities, whilst engraining best practice support for youths’ needs.
A case management and mentoring service providing comprehensive wraparound support to young people and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing the NT youth justice and policing systems. The service focuses on increasing the social, emotional and cultural well-being determinants of young people and their family units. Engagement is stepped out via complex trauma best principles and processes. Broken into 3 phases:
Phase 1: Safety and stability
Phase 2: Processing
Phase 3: Integration
The service also focuses on key gaps in services such as regular after-hours and weekend
To reduce recidivism and break the cycle of reoffending, B2A focuses on building determinants of health for young people and their families, rather than focusing on criminogenic risk. B2A will draw on research and key localised findings to determine evidence-based, the best practice supports for young people through their transitions out of the Youth Justice systems. This is integral for reintegration and participation back into the broader community.
Not being traditional case management as we provide on-the-ground mentoring, after-hours engagements, having a well-being hub that not only youth but families attend, including a sensory room, arts, yarning circles, gym, native gardening, shed for work experience, hot desk computer for life admin and employment supports.
The B2A service engages with young people and families in various settings, including:
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In the community.
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Within watch houses
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Within youth detention
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Throughout the transition phase back into community.
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At home
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Through continuing support for young people up to 21 years of age.
Brother To Another service strategically positions young people and families to have improved access to pro social activities, appointments, health care, education and employment opportunities.
The service collaborates with the community, government and NGO sectors to fill service gaps in supporting young people experiencing the policing and legal systems.
Key components of the service are prioritisation of:
o After-hours and weekend support
o Local First Nation’s role models
o Role model/ service agreements, the agreements are led by families and young people. Families dictate
to B2A, what service is asked for, and what is not.
o Comprehensive data collection and expression sessions led by young people.
o Working with the entire family unit. Siblings and caregivers
o B2A data sets, focusing on cultural, social and emotional well-being determinants.
o Community and sector collaboration and partnership.
o A focus on identifying and addressing gaps in service. And improving the effectiveness of
support in the sector.Eg. Education supports for young people are ostracised from mainstream schooling due to involvement with youth detention.
The agreement will focus on meeting priorities in key social determinants of their lives, such as:
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Culture and identity.
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Family, community and role modelling.
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Micro life skills and self-regulation.
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Careers, training and employment.
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Education.
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Relationships and consent.
Data sovereignty: Supporting the voices of First Nations people and communities, through wellbeing determinants
Brother to Another LTD has worked intrinsically with the Good Data Institute, Melbourne School of business and Aboriginal justice advocates and researchers to develop initial data collection focusing on improving health determinants as a contributing factor to reducing a young person's experiences with the NT youth justice and policing systems. The service focuses on strong, genuine relationships and comprehensive strategy and data capture to build the strengths of the social, emotional and cultural well-being determinants.
Why do we focus on well-being determinants?
Well-being and recidivism are two concepts that are closely related in the context of youth. Recidivism refers to the tendency of juvenile offenders to re-offend or engage in delinquent behaviour after being released from detention or correctional facilities. Well-being, on the other hand, refers to a state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy, both physically and mentally.
Research has shown that there is a strong link between well-being and recidivism in youth. Youth who experience poor well-being are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviour, while those who have a higher level of well-being are less likely to re-offend. This is because well-being is closely tied to factors such as self-esteem, social support, and coping skills, which are all important factors in preventing juvenile delinquency.
Therefore, promoting the well-being of youth is an important strategy for reducing recidivism. This can be achieved through various interventions such as mentoring, counselling, and educational programs that help youth develop positive coping skills, build positive relationships, and enhance their overall wellbeing. By addressing the root causes of delinquent behaviour and promoting positive mental and emotional health, these programs can help youth avoid future involvement in the criminal justice system.
"The cultural determinants of health originate from and promote a strength based perspective, acknowledging that stronger connections to culture and country build stronger individual and collective identities, a sense of self-esteem, resilience, and improved outcomes across the other determinants of health including education, economic stability and community safety."
Dr Ngiare Brown
Cultural and complex trauma support Model
Placing culture, identity and family at the forefront of service design and implementation is critical. Recognising culture as a central determinant to health and wellbeing is necessary to enhance service access, equity and effectiveness. The B2A service seeks to provide cultural support planning and action for young people experiencing youth justice and recidivism.
Brother To Another is strengthened by national and local partners, key community members and sector experts to advise on the development of the B2A cultural support model.
Key determinants are:
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Connection to cultural practice
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Connection to community
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Connection to family/ kinship
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Connection to land
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Connection to a healthy sense of self
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Connection to physical wellbeing
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Connection to Mental and spiritual wellbeing
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Connection to education and/ or employment
The B2A cultural model will centre the experiences of young people and families around these elements.
With a deep understanding of the challenges facing the Northern Territory community, B2A hopes to be a leader in supporting and influencing systems change to obtain better outcomes for young people, families and the broader community. The model also focuses on the use of cultural sensory work, as a tool for young people to build their resilience, identity and knowledge of self.
Utilising best practice complex trauma principles, engagement with young people and families is staged on three phases:
1. Safety & Stabilisation
2. Processing
3. Integration
The importance of phase one, cannot be overstated.
Policy and strategy alignment
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National Principles for child safe organisations.
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AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research.
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SNAICC strategic pillars and principles. SNAICC is the National Non-Government peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
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The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Healing Foundation