The Hawthorn Youth Welfare Service was established by the Victorian state government in 1970. It provided short term, non-residential care for approximately 100 14 -17 year old males each year. Young men were placed on probation to the Youth Welfare Service for six to twelve months. They attended the service under close supervision for three evenings a week and all day Saturday for the first three months until supervision could be reduced as the young person was able to demonstrate they could be trusted.