Responsibility: State and territory governments
Response:
WA: Accept in principle
ACT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, NSW, NT: Note
This recommendation was directed to the Western Australian Government.
Western Australia
Response: Accept in principle
Status: In progress
What has been achieved to date
Implementation of the new trauma informed Model of Care formally commenced in April 2023 at Banksia Hill. The model is based on best practice and describes the way care is to be provided to young people, their family and extended families. Implementation of the model of care remains ongoing. Implementation of the new Model of Care has supported a focus on stabilising staffing to provide better outcomes for young people and increase engagement in meaningful activity.
A significant infrastructure works program has been established to improve the physical environment for young people and staff at Banksia Hill. This has included refurbishment of the Intensive Support Unit which has been completed and rebuilding of damaged units following the recent disturbance. Further infrastructure developments announced by the Government include a new Crisis Care Unit at Banksia Hill and a new youth detention facility.
Work has commenced to extend implementation of the Model of Care to Unit 18 and a Senior Clinical Psychologist is currently working with Unit 18 Senior Management Team to enhance the current privileges program to ensure it aligns with contemporary practice and better supports young people and staff providing care. This led to the rollout of an Aboriginal Elders and Leaders Cultural Mentoring Program to both Banksia Hill and Unit 18.
WA government response July 2024
The WA Government accepts in principle this recommendation. Implementation of this recommendation is underway, however further consideration is required regarding confinement practices (refer recommendation 8.3)
What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report
The Department of Justice of Western Australia (through the Corrective Services Division) should:
- immediately cease confinement practices at youth detention centres amounting to solitary confinement of children with disability
- ensure decisions leading to the isolation of children with disability are made in conformity with legal requirements
- implement a new operating philosophy and service model to manage detainees with disability in a therapeutic, non-punitive, non-adversarial, trauma-informed and culturally competent way
- ensure the operating philosophy and implementation plan are developed in conjunction with people with disability and First Nations people
- release a clear timeline for publication of its new operating philosophy and service model for youth detention in Western Australia and the associated implementation plan
- raise awareness at every level of staff in the youth detention centres concerning the support needs of people with cognitive disability and foster respect for the rights of people with disability
- ensure lawyers representing detained clients are allowed adequate time and assured of confidentiality at youth detention centres to take instructions, especially where their clients have cognitive disability.
More recommendations
View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.