Page 2192 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 4 August 2015
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I would like to illustrate the work done at Melaleuca Place by telling you about the experience of a child. Let’s call him Dean. Dean’s early childhood was marked by experiences of extreme neglect and abuse. This includes being physically abused, witnessing domestic violence, parental substance misuse, emotional abuse, neglect and alleged sexual abuse. When Dean was two years old he began to display violent and aggressive behaviours towards carers, peers and other significant people in his life. He also suffered from night terrors and anxiety and there were sexually inappropriate behaviours towards others. This has continued and now Dean is 10 years old. As we can see, this child has had a very traumatic life and his behavioural, emotional and psychological functioning has been severely impacted.
This child has been involved with our child and youth protection services since birth, and he has been made subject to a final child protection order until he attains 18 years of age. Dean has had a number of out-of-home placements, he was referred to Melaleuca Place by his child and youth protection services case worker who identified that he was in need of targeted interventions that would address his behaviours. Therapists at Melaleuca Place undertook an assessment of Dean’s needs, and this included a review of medication that had been prescribed to treat his anxiety and sleep disorders.
The skilled therapists at Melaleuca Place drew up in consultation with others a plan that sought to address both the short-term and longer-term needs for this child. There was an immediate focus on ensuring that everyone involved with Dean was well aware of his history of trauma and how this could impact on his behaviours. The therapists at Melaleuca Place have worked with Dean and his support networks, for example, his carer and his teachers, to implement a predictable and consistent routine, increasing his sense of self-worth, building his resilience, enhancing his emotional wellbeing, social skills and confidence. This has seen Dean’s engagement and performance at school improve. Work with Dean continues, and there have been improvements in his life and how he views himself. The therapists at Melaleuca Place continue to support Dean and work with him and his support networks so that further goals will be attained.
This is how Melaleuca Place has a significant and lasting effect on the lives of children and young people. The ACT government is committed to ensuring all Canberrans can lead a productive life, engage with the community, and have a voice. Melaleuca Place is helping some of Canberra’s most vulnerable children to ensure that this goal is in reach for them as well.
I would like to end by thanking all of the staff at Melaleuca Place and indeed the CSD staff generally for their professionalism and dedication to working with some of Canberra’s most vulnerable young people. I present a copy of the statement and present the following paper:
Melaleuca Place—Anniversary—Ministerial statement
I move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
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