YouthCases Aid: supporting the staff around a young person’s court experience.

Better support starts behind the scenes

Organization

Parramatta
Children’s Court

ROLE

Staff App UX/UI Designer + Researcher

EXPERTISE

Four students · University capstone

Timeframe

April–July 2024

Overview

Our capstone started with helping young people understand legal orders. Research revealed that staff preparation and coordination were part of the same problem. I designed the Staff App within the team’s wider proposal.

Context and output

University capstone with research at Parramatta Children’s Court. High-fidelity Staff App prototype within a three-part team proposal. Our team was invited by an NSW project manager to continue developing the app.

Problem

Young people needed understandable information. Staff needed case context and expertise to support those conversations. The service opportunity extended beyond rewriting documents.

The document was only part of the problem

I focused the Staff App on preparation: finding relevant information and the right colleague before an interaction.

Research

Research across 12+ project participants included legal staff, speech pathologists, and caseworkers. Interviews, workshops, probes, and field studies explored communication across departments.

Learning within the limits of the setting

With photography prohibited during the court visit, we documented the setting through sketches. Privacy and access constraints shaped the research.

Further validation

These findings informed the concept. Broader validation with young people and other affected users would still be needed.

Ideation

The gaps were between people too

Synthesis highlighted fragmented information and difficulty finding expertise. I translated those themes into case context, colleague access, and learning within one workspace.

Three parts of one service idea

Designs

I grouped timelines, documents, contacts, and remarks around the case so staff could prepare with relevant context.

Prepare with the context that matters

Structured prompts supported observation entry. The key trade-off was consistency without turning observations into fixed labels about a young person.

Shared information needed boundaries

I represented access around staff involvement in each case. Shared context needed boundaries as well as visibility.

Review before implementation

These concepts would require information-governance review and technical verification before implementation.

Make expertise easier to find

Staff profiles surfaced skills, experience, and learning for human allocation decisions. Training and expert guidance supported preparation within the same experience.

Human judgment, not automated decisions

The interface supported human judgment about assignments; improved fairness or efficiency was not established.

Prototype

Making workflows tangible

Wireframes and a high-fidelity prototype made the workflows tangible for expert feedback and discussion at the final exhibition.

Lessons

Seeing the problem differently

The project changed how I framed the problem. Clearer legal communication depended on the staff and systems around the young person, as well as the document itself.

Our team was invited to continue development. The next step is evaluation of staff coordination and young people’s comprehension, alongside information-governance review.

View full case study PDF

Redesigned legal documents

Clearer information for young people.

Youth-facing app

Another way to access the proposed support.

Staff App

Preparation, context, coordination, and learning. My primary contribution.

Youthcases aid
Safe communication and collaboration within the Children’s Court
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB
Dashboard on the staff’s tasks, skills, completed courses, allocations, cases, news and announcements
Secure Access to Relevant Children’s Court Cases
Children court cases that the staff is working on, the details are viewable. Staff can’t access closed cases
breaking down complicated case process
Court cases processes, documents, the child client’s remarks all in one place.
Provide insights to support the child’s best interests
Staff can make observations on controlled aspects of the youth that are set by experts in speech pathology and psychology
ADD observations in a click of a button
1) cultural and linguistic considerations
2) fluency in communication
3) overall demeanour
4) background
no missed details
Staff can make additional special remarks by typing or voice recording. These notes are shared to other staff to protect and empower the child
Cross department collab
Teams collaborate to prioritize the child’s best interests, using shared notes to understand and address their unique needs effectively.
secure Document sharing and authorising system
Staff can securely access authorized documents and contact details with role-based permissions.
Track Growth, Optimize Tasks
A system to record and show learnt skills skills, learning progress and experiences of each staff are documented for systematic task allocation
Say goodbye to outdated training
Access updated and verified training modules on best practices for communicating effectively with children.
Youthcases aid
Safe communication and collaboration within the Children’s Court
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB
Dashboard on the staff’s tasks, skills, completed courses, allocations, cases, news and announcements
Secure Access to Relevant Children’s Court Cases
Children court cases that the staff is working on, the details are viewable. Staff can’t access closed cases
breaking down complicated case process
Court cases processes, documents, the child client’s remarks all in one place.
Provide insights to support the child’s best interests
Staff can make observations on controlled aspects of the youth that are set by experts in speech pathology and psychology
ADD observations in a click of a button
1) cultural and linguistic considerations
2) fluency in communication
3) overall demeanour
4) background
no missed details
Staff can make additional special remarks by typing or voice recording. These notes are shared to other staff to protect and empower the child
Cross department collab
Teams collaborate to prioritize the child’s best interests, using shared notes to understand and address their unique needs effectively.
secure Document sharing and authorising system
Staff can securely access authorized documents and contact details with role-based permissions.
Track Growth, Optimize Tasks
A system to record and show learnt skills skills, learning progress and experiences of each staff are documented for systematic task allocation
Say goodbye to outdated training
Access updated and verified training modules on best practices for communicating effectively with children.
Youthcases aid
Safe communication and collaboration within the Children’s Court
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB
Dashboard on the staff’s tasks, skills, completed courses, allocations, cases, news and announcements
Secure Access to Relevant Children’s Court Cases
Children court cases that the staff is working on, the details are viewable. Staff can’t access closed cases
breaking down complicated case process
Court cases processes, documents, the child client’s remarks all in one place.
Provide insights to support the child’s best interests
Staff can make observations on controlled aspects of the youth that are set by experts in speech pathology and psychology
ADD observations in a click of a button
1) cultural and linguistic considerations
2) fluency in communication
3) overall demeanour
4) background
no missed details
Staff can make additional special remarks by typing or voice recording. These notes are shared to other staff to protect and empower the child
Cross department collab
Teams collaborate to prioritize the child’s best interests, using shared notes to understand and address their unique needs effectively.
secure Document sharing and authorising system
Staff can securely access authorized documents and contact details with role-based permissions.
Track Growth, Optimize Tasks
A system to record and show learnt skills skills, learning progress and experiences of each staff are documented for systematic task allocation
Say goodbye to outdated training
Access updated and verified training modules on best practices for communicating effectively with children.
Youthcases aid
Safe communication and collaboration within the Children’s Court
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB
Dashboard on the staff’s tasks, skills, completed courses, allocations, cases, news and announcements
Secure Access to Relevant Children’s Court Cases
Children court cases that the staff is working on, the details are viewable. Staff can’t access closed cases
breaking down complicated case process
Court cases processes, documents, the child client’s remarks all in one place.
Provide insights to support the child’s best interests
Staff can make observations on controlled aspects of the youth that are set by experts in speech pathology and psychology
ADD observations in a click of a button
1) cultural and linguistic considerations
2) fluency in communication
3) overall demeanour
4) background
no missed details
Staff can make additional special remarks by typing or voice recording. These notes are shared to other staff to protect and empower the child
Cross department collab
Teams collaborate to prioritize the child’s best interests, using shared notes to understand and address their unique needs effectively.
secure Document sharing and authorising system
Staff can securely access authorized documents and contact details with role-based permissions.
Track Growth, Optimize Tasks
A system to record and show learnt skills skills, learning progress and experiences of each staff are documented for systematic task allocation
Say goodbye to outdated training
Access updated and verified training modules on best practices for communicating effectively with children.

Youthcases aid
Safe communication and collaboration within the Children’s Court
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB
Dashboard on the staff’s tasks, skills, completed courses, allocations, cases, news and announcements
Secure Access to Relevant Children’s Court Cases
Children court cases that the staff is working on, the details are viewable. Staff can’t access closed cases
breaking down complicated case process
Court cases processes, documents, the child client’s remarks all in one place.
Provide insights to support the child’s best interests
Staff can make observations on controlled aspects of the youth that are set by experts in speech pathology and psychology
ADD observations in a click of a button
1) cultural and linguistic considerations
2) fluency in communication
3) overall demeanour
4) background
no missed details
Staff can make additional special remarks by typing or voice recording. These notes are shared to other staff to protect and empower the child
Cross department collab
Teams collaborate to prioritize the child’s best interests, using shared notes to understand and address their unique needs effectively.
secure Document sharing and authorising system
Staff can securely access authorized documents and contact details with role-based permissions.
Track Growth, Optimize Tasks
A system to record and show learnt skills skills, learning progress and experiences of each staff are documented for systematic task allocation
Say goodbye to outdated training
Access updated and verified training modules on best practices for communicating effectively with children.
Youthcases aid
Safe communication and collaboration within the Children’s Court
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB
Dashboard on the staff’s tasks, skills, completed courses, allocations, cases, news and announcements
Secure Access to Relevant Children’s Court Cases
Children court cases that the staff is working on, the details are viewable. Staff can’t access closed cases
breaking down complicated case process
Court cases processes, documents, the child client’s remarks all in one place.
Provide insights to support the child’s best interests
Staff can make observations on controlled aspects of the youth that are set by experts in speech pathology and psychology
ADD observations in a click of a button
1) cultural and linguistic considerations
2) fluency in communication
3) overall demeanour
4) background
no missed details
Staff can make additional special remarks by typing or voice recording. These notes are shared to other staff to protect and empower the child
Cross department collab
Teams collaborate to prioritize the child’s best interests, using shared notes to understand and address their unique needs effectively.
secure Document sharing and authorising system
Staff can securely access authorized documents and contact details with role-based permissions.
Track Growth, Optimize Tasks
A system to record and show learnt skills skills, learning progress and experiences of each staff are documented for systematic task allocation
Say goodbye to outdated training
Access updated and verified training modules on best practices for communicating effectively with children.
Youthcases aid
Safe communication and collaboration within the Children’s Court
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB
Dashboard on the staff’s tasks, skills, completed courses, allocations, cases, news and announcements
Secure Access to Relevant Children’s Court Cases
Children court cases that the staff is working on, the details are viewable. Staff can’t access closed cases
breaking down complicated case process
Court cases processes, documents, the child client’s remarks all in one place.
Provide insights to support the child’s best interests
Staff can make observations on controlled aspects of the youth that are set by experts in speech pathology and psychology
ADD observations in a click of a button
1) cultural and linguistic considerations
2) fluency in communication
3) overall demeanour
4) background
no missed details
Staff can make additional special remarks by typing or voice recording. These notes are shared to other staff to protect and empower the child
Cross department collab
Teams collaborate to prioritize the child’s best interests, using shared notes to understand and address their unique needs effectively.
secure Document sharing and authorising system
Staff can securely access authorized documents and contact details with role-based permissions.
Track Growth, Optimize Tasks
A system to record and show learnt skills skills, learning progress and experiences of each staff are documented for systematic task allocation
Say goodbye to outdated training
Access updated and verified training modules on best practices for communicating effectively with children.
Youthcases aid
Safe communication and collaboration within the Children’s Court
EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB
Dashboard on the staff’s tasks, skills, completed courses, allocations, cases, news and announcements
Secure Access to Relevant Children’s Court Cases
Children court cases that the staff is working on, the details are viewable. Staff can’t access closed cases
breaking down complicated case process
Court cases processes, documents, the child client’s remarks all in one place.
Provide insights to support the child’s best interests
Staff can make observations on controlled aspects of the youth that are set by experts in speech pathology and psychology
ADD observations in a click of a button
1) cultural and linguistic considerations
2) fluency in communication
3) overall demeanour
4) background
no missed details
Staff can make additional special remarks by typing or voice recording. These notes are shared to other staff to protect and empower the child
Cross department collab
Teams collaborate to prioritize the child’s best interests, using shared notes to understand and address their unique needs effectively.
secure Document sharing and authorising system
Staff can securely access authorized documents and contact details with role-based permissions.
Track Growth, Optimize Tasks
A system to record and show learnt skills skills, learning progress and experiences of each staff are documented for systematic task allocation
Say goodbye to outdated training
Access updated and verified training modules on best practices for communicating effectively with children.