The “Harker Report” was commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to primarily review a number of factors relating to the administrative management and operation of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre (AYDC).
Following the presentation of the “Harker Report” to the DHHS in June 2015, the following activities were undertaken.
The report’s recommendations guided the restructure of Children and Youth Services (from July 2015) and in particular, the establishment of a dedicated ‘Youth’ portfolio, to reassess the path forward for how young people are supported, as well as to strengthen practice and move towards a more therapeutic environment in AYDC.
The next step in this process was a change of Centre Manager at AYDC in October, 2015, followed by the appointment of a specialist in youth services to the position of Director, Services to Young People in January, 2016, who subsequently received endorsement for a change process at AYDC to consider governance, risk, safety, trauma informed care, training, staffing structures and leadership and the need for a therapeutic model alongside human rights of the young people.
Since then, ongoing training surrounding risk management and non-violent crisis intervention has been provided as well as training for youth workers and the leadership team across a range of areas; trauma-informed care, resilience through change and safety as well as enhancing skills in de-escalation.
A multi-disciplinary approach to apply collaborative decision making and support specific to each individual resident are being enhanced and communal visiting spaces for residents has been improved.
In addition, an update of the practice manual continues, more active communication has been provided to staff regarding continuous improvement opportunities and resident complaint processes have been strengthened, along with work on better communication of residents’ rights and responsibilities.
This Government has also recognised the current design and environment at Ashley does not support a contemporary model which is why, in April 2016, we commenced the development of our $200,000 Youth at Risk Strategy to outline how government services should be delivered to young people; not just those young people interacting with the youth justice system but those who are struggling with homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol issues, or generally engaging in risk-taking behaviour.
A key component of this strategy is the development of an options paper (by Youth Justice Consultants, Noetic) on future options for custodial youth detention in Tasmania.
The Government has also embarked on a comprehensive change management process at Ashley, including staffing and leadership structures, staff capability, safety, risk management, training requirements, trauma-informed care models and culture.
The Government has also allocated $300,000 to assist that process including the appointment of a senior change manager to assist both staff and residents.
Legislation passed last week will also enable the Ombudsman to assume the role of Custodial Inspector, which will include the AYDC, thereby providing greater oversight and scrutiny of the facility.