Released 27/03/2024
The Therapeutic Support Panel for Children and Young People has commenced today, marking the next step in the ACT’s youth justice reform journey.
Established as part of the work to increase to the minimum age of criminal responsibility, the Panel sits at the core of the ACT’s nation-leading model of therapeutic support for children, young people and their families and carers.
Minister for Children, Youth and Family Services, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA said the new Therapeutic Support Panel sets up an alternative system to address the underlying and complex needs of children and young people engaging in harmful behaviour.
“It was a big step forward to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old in November 2023 and we will lead the nation when it increases to 14 in 2025,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“A lot of work has gone into designing an alternative service system and that is focused on early intervention and sustainable diversion from the justice system.
“The Therapeutic Support Panel isn’t just for young people under the raised minimum age. It is part of a new system that provides a different pathway for young people of all ages where a youth justice response is not in their best interests or the interests of the wider community.
“We are taking this opportunity to fundamentally reshape the way our services respond to children and young people who, through their behaviour, demonstrate that they and their families need coordinated support.”
Chaired by Dr Justin Barker, members of the Panel have diverse qualifications, experience and expertise in areas such as social work, psychology, education, disability, criminology and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
Crucially, three of the panel members are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The full membership of the Therapeutic Support Panel is:
- Dr Justin Barker (Chair)
- Ms Victoria Bradley
- Ms Selina Walker
- Mr David Witham
- Ms Dee-Ann Brown
- Ms Cara Jacobs
- Dr Bronwen Phillips
- Ms Zakia Patel
- Prof Alison Gerard
- Dr Hayley Passmore
- Ms Lisa Dempsey
Minister Stephen-Smith also acknowledged the recent passing of Dr Joe Tucci, a fearless advocate for children’s rights and an esteemed colleague across the sector.
“Dr Tucci was to be appointed to the Therapeutic Support Panel, bringing his wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to the role,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Joe’s family and to the Australian Childhood Foundation.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Justin Barker, Chair of the Therapeutic Support Panel:
“Instead of a very limited youth justice response in the past to the children and young people who are engaged in harmful behaviours, we can now take this therapeutic or healing response to help change their lives.
“The Panel is an important kind of brains trust, a multidisciplinary team who will draw on their diverse range of expertise and experiences to develop therapy plans to best support the young people.
“In addition to working to change the lives of individual children, the Panel has an advisory role to inform the ACT Government on how to further improve the system for children, young people and their families.”
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases