Overview
Initiative type
Service Improvement
Status
Deliver
Published
June 2025
Topic
Summary
Co-designing health education, including parenting programs, with young people in youth detention is a powerful strategy to boost participation and promote knowledge sharing. This approach fosters a dynamic, interactive learning environment where young people can share their insights and challenges.
Dates: N/A
Implementation sites: Prison and Youth Detention Health Centres
Partnerships: Youth Detention Health Staff, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Prison and Youth Detention Health Services, Women and Girl’s Health Promotion Strategy Team, Deadly Choices and Women's Health and Equality Queensland
This project was presented as a Poster at CEQ Showcase 2025 (PDF 726KB).
Aim
To address the health concerns of young people and improve access to quality health education.
Outcomes
Co-design promotes peer learning, where young people collaborate on developing educational content, exchanging ideas, and supporting each other. This peer-to-peer interaction not only deepens understanding but also builds a sense of community and shared responsibility. The process fosters trust and open communication, which helps break down barriers between authority figures and the youth in detention. Ultimately, co-design enhances participation and knowledge sharing, leading to more meaningful and lasting improvements in the health and well-being of young people in detention.
Many young people in the Brisbane Youth and West Moreton Youth Detention Centres show a keen interest in their health and the health of their peers and families, covering topics like parenting and both women’s and men’s health. Some young men are already fathers or expecting their first child, while many young women are mothers or anticipating the birth of their first child. This group has expressed a strong desire for education on topics such as pregnancy, childbirth, child development, first aid, and practical skills. In response, a six-week program was developed in collaboration with the young people, delivered weekly in the centre.
Background
Health promotion days are also planned with the young people to connect them with relevant agencies and services. These events include Youth Week, International Women’s Day, NAIDOC, and Men’s Health, where youth design and create health promotion materials and art walls, displaying impactful health messages.
When youth are actively involved in shaping their own education, they feel valued and more motivated to engage. Traditional programs may not resonate with their unique needs or experiences, but co-design ensures content is relevant, enhancing its impact.
Methods
To address the health concerns of young people and improve access to quality health education, the team collaborated closely with them to identify their specific needs and interests. The primary request was education on infant care, focusing on practical skills and how to access community support. There was also significant interest in learning about their bodies, women’s health, men’s health, and sexual health. The young people sought to improve their knowledge and understand the services available to them when they return to the community.
Discussion
Young People are great at creating health promotion materials that are eye catching and memorable. Young People want to know about their bodies and their health. The participating Young People want to learn how to care for an infant and improve the outcomes for their children. By involving young people from the design phase through to implementation, health promotion becomes a powerful collaborative method to improve health literacy and health outcomes for young people.
References
N/A
Key contact
Catherine Daw
Clinical Nurse Consultant, Youth Detention
Prison and Youth Detention Health Services