OUR SERVICES

When you first heard about the Youth Legal Service you might have imagined a lot of lawyers running in and out of court. Well, you would only be half right because that is not all we do!..

Our work includes:

•	provide Legal Services
•	conduct Community Legal Education
•	undertakeing Research and Policy Reform

And we have been doing these things since 1985 as the only community legal centre in Western Australia that has a special focus on providing services for young people. During that time we have developed an understanding of the legal needs of young people, and we are always seeking the best ways to meet those needs.

LEGAL SERVICES

We provided free and confidential legal services, which include legal information and legal advice, advocacy, and representation in the Children's Court.

Our services are available to young people (up to the age of 25 years), and members of their family. We also provide assistance to people who work with young people (eg teachers, youth workers, social workers, and police officers).

COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION

Community Legal Education (CLE) is about helping young people, carers, and workers develop their understanding of the law and how it works. This also means understanding the rights and responsibilities we all have in the eyes of the law.

Our Community Legal Education activities include:

•	education forums for young people
•	youth worker training
•	specialist training for medical practitioners and police recruits

We also publish:


•	Fact Sheets (an ever expanding collection that provides basic information about the legal issues young people are facing)

RESEARCH, AND POLICY REFORM

This aspect of our work involves undertaking research, and campaigning for law reform, in areas that affect young people.

Our aim is to:

•	improve access young people have to mainstream services
•	raise public awareness of the issues affecting young people,
•	ensure that laws and policies are fair, and uphold the dignity of young people.