Page 4555 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 18 October 2011
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The commission provided a detailed and somewhat aspirational report, with 224 recommendations. I think I can safely say that no youth justice system in the ACT could currently meet the full very high standards of the service provision that is championed by the commission. In considering its response, the government has attempted to meet the intent and objective of each recommendation wherever possible. However, in respect of some of the recommendations, the government has proposed an alternative approach to achieving the desired outcome identified by the commission.
The government’s detailed response to each recommendation is provided in the papers that I have tabled and that you are now possibly reading. However, I am very pleased to advise the Assembly that of the 224 recommendations the government has agreed or agreed in principle to 189 recommendations. The government has noted 29 recommendations. In other cases the government recognises that further work is required to progress the recommendation. The government has not agreed to six recommendations—that is, six out of 224—particularly recommendations 4.4, 7.21, 10.5, 11.5, 13.1 and 14.33. For some of these recommendations, the government does not agree with the commission’s approach. For others, the government already has an existing or an alternative response to the recommendation.
The government has not been idle when it comes to actioning change in the youth justice system. Of the 224 recommendations in the HRC report, the government has either commenced action or completed action on 124 recommendations. This is about 55 per cent of the total recommendations. Detailed information is provided in the government’s response. However, I would like to point out a few key actions.
In relation to a large number of recommendations that solely relate to Bimberi, the current change management process at Bimberi is addressing a number of the issues raised by the commission. These include developing an integrated management system, improving the workplace culture amongst Bimberi staff through a number of measures that are encouraging staff participation and feedback. This relates to recommendations 4.13 and 4.17. Other issues being addressed include continuing the strategy of over-recruiting youth workers at Bimberi and operating a casual pool, and developing and implementing an enhanced induction training program for new youth workers and non-operational Bimberi staff.
Other measures include reviewing a range of operating procedures around behaviour management and use of force—this relates to recommendations 14.1, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, and 14.11—and providing enhanced educational and health services at Bimberi, which are recommendations 12.16 through to 12.19, 12.21, 13.3, 13.6, 13.7 and 13.8.
A number of initiatives are underway more broadly within the Community Services Directorate. I will give four examples. Firstly, staff have been appointed to an after-hours bail support service for young people. This service will commence at 5 pm on 24 October. Secondly, the first young person has been referred by the Children’s Court Magistrate to the Youth Drug and Alcohol Court, which has only very recently been established as a two-year pilot between the Health Directorate, the Community Services Directorate and the Justice and Community Safety Directorate. Thirdly, a
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