Our early intervention programs


New Way Forward

New Way Forward is a program that aims to support young people involved with or at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system. It is designed for young people from multicultural backgrounds, especially African and Pacifika backgrounds, who live in the Blacktown LGA or the Nepean Region.

The program is funded through Multicultural NSW and is implemented in partnership with the A Place to Go multi-agency initiative.


Eligibility criteria

  • From a multicultural background
  • Aged 12-24 years
  • Living in Blacktown LGA or Nepean region
  • Is already involved in or at risk of being involved in the criminal justice system

What does it mean to be at risk?

People who are at risk may not have been charged/arrested before, but are exhibiting behaviours and/or involved in circumstances that could lead to engaging in activities that put them in the criminal justice system.

Examples of this include, but are not limited to:

  • Lack of school attendance
  • Violent behaviour e.g. getting into fights at school
  • Exposure to Domestic Violence and/or Family Breakdown
  • Substance abuse
  • Mental health issues
  • Informal interaction with police

    • What does it mean to be involved in the criminal justice system?

    A person involved in the criminal justice system has either:

    • Has received anything from a caution to a charge,
    • Current or previous experience with court proceedings, and/or
    • Current or previous time in custody


What we offer

  • One-on-one intensive case management support
  • Individual and collaborative family intervention

Once a client is referred, we undergo an extensive assessment process to determine their needs and situation, and look into the following:

  • Family and peer relationships,
  • Education,
  • Employment,
  • Substance abuse
  • Leisure/recreation,
  • Emotional stability/Mental health
  • Criminal orientation and thinking,
  • Residential stability

Afterward, we assess the level of support they need and allocate them to a case worker. The caseworker supports the young person to identify goals and guides them towards achieving these goals through collaboration with service providers, government departments (such as Education and Youth Justice), family, and key supports to make sure we provide service on a holistic level.


What sort of group work do we do?

Fit for Change – in partnership with NSW Police Force Youth Command Blacktown, this project aims to improve relationships between Police and young people involved in the criminal justice system.

Cobham Youth Justice Centre Program 

Community Consultation

Pacific Waves – in partnership with Creating Chances, this program was delivered to young women from Pasifika backgrounds to build cultural connections

Who is a key support?

A key support is someone who the young person can trust and feel supported by. 

Examples of key supports include, but are not limited to:

  • Friends
  • Community members
  • Sports coaches
  • Mental health practitioners
  • Godparents

What sort of advocacy do we do?

We provide:

  • Advocacy at court for bail and sentencing
  • Advocacy for education opportunities
  • Advocacy for community opportunities e.g. referrals to join sports teams, mental health workers



How do I get in touch?

For more information, or to refer a young person, call 02 9621 6633 and ask to speak to a member of the New Way Forward team, or email nwf@sydwestms.org.au