CONNECT WANJU (Connect, Welcome)

Connect Wanju is a partnership between Palmerston Association and Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, funded by the Department of Justice. ‘Wanju’ is a Noongar word meaning ‘welcome’.

Connect Wanju will work with the Department of Justice to deliver the General Court Intervention Program (GCIP), across Perth metropolitan.

What is the program about?

The program aims to improve access to treatment and support services for accused persons within the Court system. This will connect people through case management over a 12 week period to opportunities for longer term change. There will be specific focus on four areas, in particular:

  • Physical and mental health
  • Alcohol and other drugs
  • Socio-economic needs
  • Homelessness.

Services will be offered Monday to Friday between 8.00am – 7.00pm and Saturdays between 9.00am to 5.00pm. There will be a team based in East Perth at Wungening’s office, although services will also be delivered across all of our existing partnership metro locations.

Connect Wanju case workers and peer workers will focus on delivering the service in a collaborative, individualised and culturally informed approach, working with a range of partner organisations to deliver the best outcomes for participants.

Who is eligible?

Accused persons are able to participate in the program from their first appearance in Court, if referred and assessed as suitable. Participation in the program is voluntary and is available to all accused persons, regardless of whether a plea has been entered or whether they intend to plead guilty or not when they appear at Perth Magistrates Court.

How to apply

Clients are referred by Department of Justice GCIP Case Managers based at the Courts.

A person appearing at Perth Magistrates Court can refer themselves to the GCIP program at the Central Law Courts or be referred by:

  • family or friends
  • lawyers
  • a support services agency
  • a registrar
  • a judicial officer
  • the police

Please note that the Connect Wanju team does not accept direct referrals and all referral enquiries regarding the program should be directed to:

General Court Intervention Program (GCIP)
Central Law Courts, Level 4,
501 Hay Street
PERTH WA 6000

Tel: 9425 2521.

Email: GCIP@justice.wa.gov.au

Contacting the Connect Wanju team

 All enquiries for Connect Wanju should be directed to:

Tel:  08 9553 8765

Email:  mail@connectwanju.org.au