NT youth justice officer’s positive outlook
Next month, it will be 7 years since Nadia Tchong became a youth justice officer in the Northern Territory.
Darwin born-and-bred, Nadia said being a positive role model and a positive influence in a young person’s life was what she loved most about the role.
“I enjoy building a safe, trusting and professional rapport with the young people in our care,” Ms Tchong said.
“I hope that we (youth justice officers) assist in reducing the reoffending stats and help young people obtain life skills that will teach them to be more self-efficient and independent.”
Ms Tchong started working at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre when it was under the administration of Department of Corrections and it has since transitioned to the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities.
She is looking forward to the ongoing implementation of the Northern Territory Youth Detention Centres model of care and moving to a new purpose-built centre at Holtze.
“I am excited about the continuing roll-out of the new care system that will assist us in providing better support to our young people,” she said.
“We do our best to provide the best support in education, programs and accommodation. This new centre, will allow us to provide better support which will hopefully provide better outcomes. I believe a fresh new building will be the beginning of further developing outcomes for our young people.”
Ms Tchong said she loved the Darwin lifestyle and that the Territory was home for her. She, and other youth justice officers, are being supported by the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities to complete a Diploma in Child, Youth and Family Intervention.
