BANKSIA HILL DETENTION CENTRE — YOUNG PARENTS

1107. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Corrective Services:

I refer to young parents held in Banksia Hill Detention Centre (Banksia Hill), and I ask:

(a)  how many of the young people currently in Banksia Hill are parents;

(b)  how many parents were held in Banksia Hill in:

(i)  2015–2016; and

(ii)  2016–2017;

(c)  does the Department of Justice provide specific assistance to detained young parents to support their relationship with their child/children and to help them maintain regular contact with their child/children;

(d)  if yes to (c), please provide information about the assistance provided including a copy of any policies that cover specific support provided to detained young parents;

(e)  does the Department of Justice provide any parenting programs for detained young parents;

(f)  if yes to (e), please advise the content and duration of any programs; and

(g)  if no to (e), why not?

Hon Stephen Dawson replied:

The Department of Justice advises:

In relation to parts (a)–(b)(ii):

The data requested is not recorded either electronically or manually and the Department of Justice is unable to extract this from the relevant database.

(c) Yes.

(d) Banksia Hill Detention Centre (BHDC) supports all family visits; including visits with detained young people and their child/children. Senior Case Managers located at BHDC liaise with Case Managers from the Department of Communities to seek their approval and support to facilitate in-person family visits to the Centre in an effort to foster and strengthen the relationship the young person shares with their child. This is acknowledged as a protective factor for the young person and is a critical element to the through care process ensuring asmoother transition into the community. The Case Manager from the Department of Communities can arrange transport for the child and care-giver if this has been identified as a potential barrier which would prevent the visit from occurring.

For regional young people who are parents, the Senior Case Managers liaise with the allocated Youth Justice Officer or catchment area to arrange a video link to support and maintain the relationship.

Senior Case Planning Managers adhere to Standing Order 42 (See attached). This provides the procedures for the assessment and case management of detainees at BHDC. Case management coordinates a range of resources and services to:

empower detainees and their families to take an active role in developing achievable plans for their future

build on identified strengths to assist in developing pro-social lifestyles

support the detainee to maintain positive relationships with their family and significant others

re-establish and strengthen links with the community with respect to their cultural background.

address the detainee’s offending behaviour and provide opportunities for the successful re-entry to the community.

(e) No.

(f)  Not applicable (see part e answer).

(g)  In the recent tender process for external programs, the consortiums successful in the tender process do not deliver parenting programs.

 

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