Page 3676 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 21 November 2006
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employment chapter or cease operation. So these are time-critical amendments and I thank members for their support.
Dr Foskey made a comment about a young person allegedly being held in a cage at Quamby for nine days. I can certainly say that would never happen. That would simply never happen, so I would question your information. The structure that is referred to as the cage is the outdoor enclosed area that is attached to the induction area where young people come in. Usually they spend a very short amount of time—we get them through as quickly as we can—where they are monitored, watched and supported through their first arrival at Quamby. The cage is an outdoor area which provides a safe and secure environment for young people who may need that type of environment. So I do not think it is fair to raise something in here that basically accuses the staff at Quamby of putting a young person in a cage for nine days, because that would simply never occur.
As to whether or not a young person may have had to stay in the isolated induction unit for nine days for one reason or another, staff at Quamby do not make these decisions lightly. They just do not think, “There is a young person. Oh great, we will put them in the isolated induction area for nine days.” They have to have a reason to go in there, whether it is self-harm or harm to others. Detailed deliberations are held with health professionals, outside agencies and staff at Quamby before those decisions are taken. I think it is really unfair to come in and allege that that kind of practice is ongoing at Quamby because it simply is not.
I meet regularly—I think on a fortnightly basis—with the official visitors who visit Quamby. In all their reports to me—and they are full and frank reports, as you would see from what they attach to their annual reports, and we address the issues that they raise from time to time—they are overwhelmingly positive about the arrangements that are in place at Quamby. Time and time again they mention that they believe staff do an excellent job with very complex young people who are more often than not there very much against their will. These very complex kids may have health issues or behaviour issues which require them to be provided with a safe area within the facility. This is something that the staff at the facility, the executive within the department and I from time to time are briefed on. If it is relevant, these young people are given the right support when they are in Quamby because they are not easy to look after.
I really resent the allegation which implies that staff were basically making decisions which were against the interests of the children and young people. I know that is simply not the case. We have invested millions of dollars in Quamby to make it a better place than it is. And it is an appalling building—I think every member in this place would stand up and say that. We have put in, I think, probably with the transportables and minor new works, almost $4 million worth of investments at Quamby to try and make it a better place for young people and for the staff who work there. There has been a range of new accommodation options, minor new works for the facility and additional security to make sure that we do not have young people voluntarily removing themselves from the facility. We have made significant investments in the Hindmarsh Education Centre to improve what is offered to young people, including vocational programs to make sure that we are supporting them to think about life outside of Quamby once they have finished their period of time there.
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