Page 1237 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 March 2013
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turbulence and considerable pressure, things sound like they are improving for young people and staff in the youth justice system. Anecdotal reports indicate that the recent scrutiny seems to have improved outcomes for young people. We have also seen a reduction in complaints, which speaks to changes in both culture and practice. This is also true of the relationships young people report with the staff and youth workers of Bimberi, again a positive development.
As you might expect, however, there are still, and may always be, areas of concern or room for improvement. I am keenly aware from my short time as corrections minister both how difficult and yet still necessary it is to progress these types of government recommendations in view of competing budgets and complex clients.
This is apparent in areas of segregation, education programs, and the vitally important area of transitioning out of Bimberi and reintegrating back into the community. As I said, these are eerily similar to the challenges I am facing in adult corrections, and I am also working hard to address these issues in that area.
Beyond this, as I have said, I am hearing positive things about Bimberi, and we are all aware of the ongoing challenges facing the care and protection system. The Greens will continue to work with government and key stakeholders to improve outcomes for these vulnerable children and young people in our community.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Disability, Children and Young People, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Women, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Racing and Gaming) (12.20), in reply: The bill does make a number of minor but important amendments to the Children and Young People Act 2008 that will improve the administration and interpretation of the act. These amendments will promote the rights and best interests of children and young people.
In summary, the amendments relate to the use of force at a place of detention, the use of strip searches and body searches, the revoking of general parental authority for foster carers and residential care services, and the Children and Young People Death Review Committee.
The first two of these stem from the ACT government’s response to the Human Rights Commission review into the youth justice system. That review recommended that in accordance with human rights standards, any restrained person should be seen by a doctor or nurse following an incident where the use of force was applied. The commission recommended that the government amend the act, policies and procedures to require a doctor or nurse to be notified as a matter of course every time force is used, rather than providing the young person with an option to see a doctor or nurse after the event. The government agreed with the intent of the recommendation, while drawing a distinction with the unplanned use of force, such as when used in response to an escalating or dangerous situation. The proposed amendment will strengthen the statutory requirement to report the use of unplanned force to a doctor or nurse.
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