Youth co-responder teams

Youth co-responder teams provide targeted and collaborative engagement with youth at risk of offending in Queensland and are a vital component of our strategy to break the cycle of youth crime and keep our communities safe.

About youth co-responder teams

Youth co-responder teams are a joint Youth Justice and Queensland Police Service initiative. Specialised teams consist of youth justice workers and police officers who work responsively with youth to prevent or reduce offending and increase community safety.

Riding in designated youth co-responder police vehicles, youth co-responder teams visit locations frequented by youths—including parks, local shopping centres, and residential areas—and, if necessary, return them to their home or move them to a safe place away from potential trouble or harm. This proactive engagement helps divert youths away from offending.

On 8 September 2025, a pilot program was announced to integrate Child Safety Services into youth co-responder teams in 3 sites across Queensland. The inclusion of Child Safety co-responders will enhance the youth co-responder teams’ ability to provide a holistic, multi-agency response to at-risk youth aged 10 to 18 years old, focusing on early intervention, prevention, and continuity of care.

  • Youth co-responder teams build relationships with youths by engaging with them in the community including at night and following up with them during the day. Youth co-responders do not wait for crime to occur—instead, they proactively prevent anti-social behaviour and offending by responding to the needs of youths and families when they need it most.

    Youth co-responder teams provide practical support, including:

    • referring youths and their families to support services
    • supporting to de-escalate and problem solve where youths congregate
    • supporting youths and their families to have a greater understanding to comply with supervised orders and bail conditions
    • transporting youths to places of safety
    • working collaboratively with existing service systems and supports
    • following up with families in crisis situations.

    Youth co-responder teams are a visible 24/7 response to youths at risk of offending or reoffending and build community confidence.

  • Across Queensland, youth co-responder teams work closely with our partner agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs), and other support services to provide an immediate response that links youths at risk of offending to culturally appropriate services and ongoing support for both the youth and their families.

    The teams support youths on bail, including electronic monitoring devices, and help to ensure they have a greater understanding in order to comply with bail conditions. Additionally, they provide follow-up support, including home visits and referral to support services and interventions, to ensure the youths they engage with stay on the right track.

    Services and referrals to government departments and NGOs can help with:

    • safe and affordable housing
    • access to health and medical services
    • escaping domestic and family violence
    • access to education and training.

    Referral to community agencies and Queensland Government departments helps to address underlying issues the youth might be facing and connect them to their community.

  • Every time a youth co-responder engages with a youth, it is an opportunity to direct that individual away from offending and guide them to make better, safer choices impacting them and their community.

    Youth co-responders build relationships of trust with youths and provide follow up support to help them achieve their potential. Through their proactive engagement, youth co-responders hold youths accountable and prevent them from entering or becoming further engaged with the youth justice system.

    By building relationships with youths, youth co-responders can:

    • link youths and their families to support services, employment programs, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors
    • support youths and their families to have a greater understanding to comply with supervised orders and bail conditions
    • follow up with youths and families in crisis situations
    • explore ways to divert youths from the youth justice system.

    By providing tailored support and addressing the underlying issues that contribute to offending behaviour, youth co-responders aim to create safer community and break the cycle of youth offending.

  • Youth co-responder teams are co-located with police in police stations and on the road, interacting with the community in every major metropolitan and regional centre in Queensland:

    • Brisbane North
    • Brisbane South
    • Cairns
    • Dalby
    • Fraser Coast
    • Gold Coast
    • Ipswich
    • Logan
    • Mackay
    • Moreton
    • Mount Isa
    • Rockhampton
    • Sunshine Coast
    • Toowoomba
    • Townsville.

    Child Safety Services have been integrated into youth co-responder teams across 3 locations:

    • Cairns
    • Logan
    • Moreton.