The ACT Government is calling for expressions of interest to join the Therapeutic Support Panel. The Panel plays a vital role in supporting children and young people with complex needs who are engaging in or at risk of engaging in harmful behaviour, their families, carers and kin.
Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Michael Pettersson, said that the Panel is a key part of the reforms introduced when the ACT raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years in November 2023.
"Before these reforms, children who displayed harmful behaviour were often caught in the criminal justice system—a response that hindered rather than helped their rehabilitation," Minister Pettersson said.
"Most of the children and young people who have been referred to the Panel since the age of criminal responsibility was raised from 10 to 12 years, have very complex lives."
"A majority of these children have complex trauma and experienced family violence. More than half have diagnosed or undiagnosed disability or mental health issues, many are disengaged from education, lack stable housing, have issues with drugs and alcohol, and have high levels of contact with police.
"We want to expand the diversity of expertise on the Panel further to continue to help changing the life trajectory of some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people in our community," Minister Pettersson said.
"Evidence shows that responding to children and young people engaging in harmful behaviours with a therapeutic approach, instead of punitive responses, is more likely to reduce the future likelihood of children and young people from engaging in harmful behaviour, and that's ultimately a big win for the community."
The Panel is part of a broader suite of ACT Government reforms designed to provide earlier support to children, young people and families. It aims to keep children and young people safe and connected at home and reduce the need for statutory intervention of any kind.
The Panel is designed to address the root causes of harmful behaviours in children and young people include trauma-informed, therapeutic, and restorative services such as:
- occupational therapy
- restorative justice
- family group counselling
- drug and alcohol support
- intensive case management.
The Panel currently includes ten appointed members, led by Chair, Dr Justin Barker.
People with relevant skills and qualifications are encouraged to submit an expression of interest within the next three weeks.
