The paper explores the long-term impact of the Pathways to Prevention Project, which provided comprehensive family support services and an enriched preschool curriculum to children in a socio-economically disadvantaged area of Brisbane. Conducted between 2002 and 2011, the project sought to understand the preventative potential of these interventions on youth crime. 

It found that family support alone was associated with a higher risk of offending, likely due to pre-existing needs within those families. However, when combined with an early intervention program focused on communication skills and family support correlated with very low offending rates. The research suggests that the benefits of family support are amplified when integrated with high-quality early intervention programs that are evidence-based.

Key findings

• Family support, when provided in isolation, did not reduce youth offending and, in fact, was associated with an increased risk, likely reflecting the higher needs of families seeking support.
• The communication program, delivered during preschool, demonstrated a protective effect, especially for girls and boys who received early family support.
• Boys with high family support needs in later primary school who did not participate in the communication program had the highest risk of offending.
• The study underscores the importance of considering individual risk factors, including gender and early behavioral challenges, when assessing the effectiveness of interventions.