Dawes, Glenn, Broadfield, Kirstie, and Dawes, Christine (2023) An Evaluation of the SPAYC and Place Program: Cairns. Report. James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

The SPACE and PLACE programme consists of a multi-agency approach which is led by QPS. The major aim of the programme is to provide sporting and recreational programmes to young people who predominantly come from low socio-economic backgrounds in the three suburbs of Cairns West. James Cook University has conducted a two -year process evaluation on the programme which concludes in February 2023 with five aims. They are: 1. To identify if there was an increased sense of social- connectedness and well-being among program participants. 2.To gain the perceptions of coordinators, service providers and partners in terms of the program’s success for engaging the participants and enhancing their physical and psychological well-being. 3.To analyse the levels of engagement and participation among the participants within and across the suite of projects. 4.To elicit whether individual’s involvement in the various programs and activities has led to increased levels of commitment, attachment and prosocial behaviours while addressing crime and recidivism. 5.To ascertain whether families have experienced an increased sense of cohesion, social connectivity and well-being due to their engagement within the program. The major outcomes of the evaluation to this point are that the young participants reported an increase in general health and well-being including a higher self-esteem which in some cases has resulted in an increase in engagement with education. Other young people stated that they had a higher degree of social connectivity through playing sport and felt safe when they participated in team sports. There is substantial evidence that most young people benefited from mentoring experiences with the providers of the sporting activities. Some of the programs provided interventions which potentially diverted at risk young people from entering the juvenile justice system or disengaging from education. However there is no evidence that participation in sporting activities alone addressed recidivism or youth crime in the Cairns West area. In conclusion the evaluation supports further long- term funding for the program with a trial of a similar program being introduced in the southern corridor of Cairns.

Item ID:	91024
Item Type:	Report (Report)
Keywords:	Youth, vulnerable, recreation, sport, crime, education,
Sensitivity Note:	JCU ethics considered this research to be low risk
Funders:	Queensland Police Service
Date Deposited:	25 Mar 2026 01:15
FoR Codes:	44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4499 Other human society > 449999 Other human society not elsewhere classified @ 50% 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4402 Criminology > 440201 Causes and prevention of crime @ 50%
SEO Codes:	13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1306 Sport, exercise and recreation > 130601 Exercise @ 35% 21 INDIGENOUS > 2103 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health > 210302 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status and outcomes @ 30% 23 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 2301 Community services > 230115 Youth services @ 35%
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