Constable Care programs to reduce youth crime
Constable Care Foundation Chief Executive Officer Ian Anstee explains what the not-for-profit is doing to keep young people out of the justice system.
As Western Australia continues to focus on youth crime, innovative diversionary programs are increasingly sought after to steer young people away from criminal activity and the justice system. Constable Care Foundation (CCF) is among the pioneers in this field.
Not just puppets
Now in its 35th year, our iconic WA safety education charity is perhaps best known for primary school puppet shows. But the friendly policeman character Constable Care has come a long way since his humble moustachioed beginnings.
Our dynamic, multifaceted organisation has branched out over the decades to work with teenagers through the Youth Choices brand. Interactive theatre, filmmaking, cutting-edge technology and hands-on experiences are used to effectively engage K-12 audiences. The growing selection of programs — a quarter of them delivered to regional WA — are designed to empower young people with skills to tackle everyday safety hazards and social issues in our rapidly changing world.
Creative program for at-risk teens
Among the Foundation’s standout offerings are the Youth Choices Intensive programs for at-risk teenagers. The programs are delivered to high schools in low socio-economic areas, remote Aboriginal communities, Curriculum and Reengagement in Education schools and other community groups and institutions.
Participants select and explore issues pertinent to their lives and communities. Common topics include drug and alcohol abuse, violence, mental health, discrimination, unhealthy relationships, bullying, money, crime, recidivism, peer pressure and gangs. Over a 10-week school term, participants develop theatre shows on their chosen topics through twice-weekly workshops. In regional and remote areas, facilitators conduct daily filmmaking workshops over two weeks for Remote Schools Media Programs.
The culmination of these efforts is a community performance or screening, followed by lively discussions where audience members suggest and act out alternative solutions to the issues presented.
Impact and community engagement
The transformative power of these programs is palpable. They give at-risk youth a voice to express their opinions and solve problems creatively. By working with them for an extended period, staff are given the opportunity to really explore the issues with them that are affecting their young lives.
Participants have been found to develop stronger coping skills and critical thinking, decision-making, teamwork and empathy skills. The discussions initiated during the performances have the power to create waves of positive social change throughout entire communities.
The broader context of youth crime in WA
The need for such innovative approaches is underscored by concerning statistics. According to an Australian Bureau of Statistics report, youth crime in WA is on the rise, with a 4% increase in offenders aged 10–17 in 2022–23. This age group constitutes 17% of total offenders in WA, with the most common offences being acts intended to cause injury (25%) and theft (17%). Nationally, the crime rate among 10 to 17-year-olds increased by 6% in 2022–23, with a 10% rise in violent crimes over the past decade.
A January 2024 WA Commissioner for Children and Young people report linked risks for young offending with socio-economic disadvantage, unstable family environments, educational disengagement, homelessness, mental illness and disability. It also pointed out more than half the children and young people placed in detention returned within 12 months.
Call for system overhaul
The WA Commissioner for Children and Young People has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the youth justice system, advocating for early intervention and prevention strategies.
Yet systemic challenges persist. The WA Government’s review of the Young Offenders Act 1994, which permits the detention of children as young as 10, is reportedly yet to begin consultation.
The Department of Justice’s annual report for 2022–23 revealed it cost $2,184 per day to detain a child (up from $1,361 the year before). In contrast, the daily cost of managing a young person in the community was $130 (down slightly from $139 the year before).
Working towards solutions
In response to these trends, the WA Government has implemented several measures. In the 2024–25 State Budget, $16 million was allocated to youth justice programs, including specialised Children’s Court hearings, and a pilot court-based therapeutic program that offers intensive support to eligible young offenders as an alternative to detention.
Early this year, Premier Roger Cook emphasised ongoing government efforts to address the issues, including increasing staff in youth detention centres and expanding support programs, both inside and outside detention facilities.
Ongoing initiatives such as the Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy, supports a number of community-led, place-based projects and diversionary programs in the Kimberley region, where youth crime rates have surged.
Expanding the impact
The Youth Choices Intensive programs for at-risk teenagers are just one part of the full range of offerings from CCF. Building on our rich history and respected brand, the organisation continues to grow and evolve.
And we’re doing far more than just putting on puppet shows to teach little kids how to safely cross the road. We now address a wide range of topics for audiences ranging from early childhood through to their late teens. We do our utmost to actively engage our audiences and work with a range of reputable organisations to use a research-backed, best-practice approach that moves with the times.
Constable Care has left an indelible mark on countless children and families in WA and the Foundation hopes to keep children and young people safe for generations to come.
Donate and help make a difference
Constable Care Foundation is a registered charity that exists only through partnerships, fundraising, fee-for-services programs and the generosity of individuals. All donations or bequests of $2 or more are fully tax deductible and can be made here. Otherwise, contact us and I will be happy to discuss bequest giving in person.
Ian Anstee joined Constable Care Foundation in 2023 with a wealth of experience in leading and managing not-for-profit organisations in the UK and Australia. He is a respected voice in child and adolescent mental health and is on the board of the Bunbury Mental Health Consortium and South-West Suicide Prevention Network. He also contributed to the Ministerial Enquiry into Mental Health for Infants, Children and Young People, and served on the development board for the Bunbury Mental Health Club.
Ian is passionate about the wellbeing of children and young people in our communities and is proud of the Foundation’s unique approach to safety and social education. As CEO, Ian is committed to the continued delivery of Constable Care and Youth Choices programs in Western Australia, fostering relationships with stakeholders and communities that facilitate its ongoing growth.
