YFX August 2009 n.156

CARE AND PROTECTION

Proposed changes to child protection legislation in the NT

The Northern Territory's Minister for Children and Families, Malarndirri McCarthy, has advised that there will be amendments to the Territory's 'Care and Protection of Children Act 2007' to address concerns raised relating to the mandatory reporting of sexual offences against children. (Source: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault web news section, http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/whatsnew.html, citing the Minister's media release at: http://newsroom.nt.gov.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewRelease&id=5839&d=5)

CRIME AND JUSTICE

Young people and the criminal justice system: New insights and promising responses

This 'snapshot' report released by Mission Australia in June provides a brief overview of research into young people's involvement in the criminal justice system and outlines findings from new research conducted by Mission Australia with participants in its Youth Offender Support Programs in south-western Sydney. Particular attention is given to the high proportion of program participants with Pacific Islander backgrounds.

In light of their findings and existing research, the organisation calls on state and territory governments to set targets to reduce the numbers of juveniles in detention across Australia and expand the number of successful diversionary programs available for young offenders. Mission Australia says diversionary programs designed to keep young people from re-offending can cut rates of re-offending by more than half and reduce serious offences by close to two-thirds. The report can be downloaded from the Mission Australia website: http://www.missionaustralia.com.au (Source: Mission Australia 2009, 'Young people and the criminal justice system: New insights and promising responses', viewed 11 August 2009; Mission Australia 2009, 'Australia's approach to juvenile justice must change', media release, 16 June, viewed 11 August 2009, http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/news/media-releases)

Kids Doing Time

The ABC TV1 program, Four Corners, featured the issue of juveniles in detention in its program of 24 August 2009, Kids Doing Time. It focused on new policy in New South Wales which, combined with tougher policing, has seen "an explosion" in the number of young people in custody. Four Corners obtained leaked figures from the NSW Department of Juvenile Justice that showed assaults had increased from 187 in 2007 to 242 in 2008 and would seem to be set to rise again this year. "Self-harm incidents are also rising dramatically. These figures have led some experts to suggest the system of juvenile justice in NSW is in crisis." See: http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2009/s2662775.htm

Views of young people in detention centres: Queensland 2009

This is the title of the latest report in Queensland's Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian's ongoing research project investigating the views and experiences of young people in Queensland's detention centres. The project is looking at the circumstances surrounding young people's entry into detention, the promotion of their safety and wellbeing, and their expectations for their transition back to the community.

In late 2008, 110 young people participated in the last round of research, which involved the completion of a survey. Its findings, published in June 2009, revealed that nine in 10 young people in Queensland's youth detention centres felt safe while in detention and that young people in detention were participating in a range of educational, recreational, cultural, and therapeutic activities. However, the findings also showed that only half of young people in detention were confident that they would be taken seriously if they told staff they felt unsafe or worried about something, which might act as a barrier to young people reporting risks to their safety.

For more information about this research project, please contact Russell Evans, Senior Research Officer, Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian, Queensland, ph: (07) 32116884; email: russell.evans@ccypcg.qld.gov.au. The full report 'Views of young people in detention centres: Queensland 2009', and a 'youth-friendly' version of the report, are available for download at: http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/about/publications/ViewsYPDetention_2009.html

(Source: email, 11 August.)

Evaluation of the Forum Sentencing scheme (formerly, the Community Conferencing for Young Adults Pilot Program)

Recent research by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has shown that offenders dealt with under the Forum Sentencing scheme are no less likely to re-offend than offenders dealt with in a conventional court proceeding. (Like youth justice conferencing, forum sentencing requires that offenders attend a conference where the victim and their supporters discuss the offence, its impact on the victim and what the offender might do by way of recompense. This recompense can be an apology, financial reparation to the victim or community work.) In the second phase of its evaluation of the Forum Sentencing scheme (formerly, the Community Conferencing for Young Adults Pilot Program), BOCSAR compared 264 offenders dealt with by way of a Forum Sentencing Order with a matched comparison group of offenders dealt with in the local courts to see whether or not forum sentencing reduced the likelihood, frequency and seriousness of re-offending. No evidence emerged from the analyses to suggest that forum sentencing participants were any less likely to re-offend, committed fewer offences, took longer to offend or committed less serious offences if they did reoffend. Commenting on the findings, BOCSAR Director Dr Don Weatherburn said that, despite the popularity of restorative justice programs, evidence for their effectiveness in reducing recidivism is limited. "Many of the individuals referred to Forum Sentencing have substantial criminal records, dating back in many cases to their teenage years" and "entrenched patterns of criminal behaviour are difficult to change without a sustained effort to alter the factors that keep them involved in crime. A program like Forum Sentencing may work more effectively with offenders that do not have substantial criminal records." Further enquiries: Dr Don Weatherburn, ph: (02) 9231 9190; for the report, see: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au or http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/pages/bocsar_mr_cjb129, or get there via: http://tinyurl.com/p2xntk

Juveniles in detention in Australia

The Juveniles in Detention Monitoring Program was established at the Australian Institute of Criminology to provide an overview of juveniles in detention in Australia and contribute to knowledge about the rates and numbers of Indigenous young people placed into detention. Findings are presented annually and the collection of data dates back to 1981. This report provides a statistical overview for the financial year 2006–07, and also reports changes over time. For the first time, this report includes information on young people sentenced to detention in the children's courts. The report finds that since 1981, the detention rate of young people aged 10 to 17 years has decreased by 51 percent, young males are nine times more likely than young females to be in detention, and 15- to 17-year-olds comprised the majority of detainees. Indigenous youth, like their adult counterparts, continue to be detained at much higher levels than non-Indigenous youth. Full details: 'Juveniles in detention in Australia, 1981–2007', N. Taylor, Australian Institute of Criminology, monitoring reports n.5, 2009, http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/7/8/8/{788D534A-4DAF-4ABC-8A31-A2D364C5BAD7}mr05.pdf (Source: 'JARA: Justice Access Research Alert', n.27, February 2009.)

Justice mental health audit 2003-2008, National Justice CEOs Group, Attorney General's Department of NSW, Sydney, 2008 (Australia)

The National Justice Mental Health Initiative is a project that aims to improve the identification, treatment and coordination of services to people with mental illness who come into contact with the criminal justice system in Australia. This report on the first stage of the project brings together the latest research and policy developments in justice mental health. The audit also identifies priority areas in the area of justice mental health that require further work. See: http://www.auseinet.com/files/auseinet/jmh_all.pdf (Source: 'JARA: Justice Access Research Alert', August 2009, n.29, http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/publications/newsletters/jara)

Preventing crime and promoting rights for Indigenous young people with cognitive disabilities and mental health issues

This report investigates early intervention and diversionary practices to prevent offending by Indigenous young people who have a cognitive disability and/or a mental health problem. It is worthy of attention for its examination of available services, its identification of systemic service delivery gaps, and its overview of interventions that have the capacity to prevent offending behaviour. Details: 'Preventing crime and promoting rights for Indigenous young people with cognitive disabilities and mental health issues', by Tom Calma, Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, 2008, http://www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/publications/preventing_crime/cog_disr.pdf) (Source: 'JARA: Justice Access Research Alert', n.27, February 2009.)

Indigenous young people, crime and justice

Registrations will close on Thursday 27 August 2009 for the Australian Institute of Criminology's 'Indigenous young people, crime and justice conference', which is to be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Parramatta on 31 August to 1 September 2009. The Australian Human Rights Commission Mailing List Service reports that places are filling fast. See: http://www.aic.gov.au/events/aic%20upcoming%20events/2009/indigenousyouth.aspx

JusticeNet SA

A network of law firms and barristers in South Australia have established a pro bono clearinghouse called JusticeNet SA "to ensure access to justice for meritorious and means-tested cases in which legal services are not currently provided". For further information about JusticeNet SA, visit: http://www.justicenet.org.au/index.html (Source: 'Alternative Law Journal', v.34, n.2, 2009, p.133).

Government announces one-off funding for legal assistance programs

In May and June this year, the Australian Government announced that it would provide more than $26 million in one-off funding for legal assistance programs focusing on enhancing early intervention and alternative dispute resolution. This funding includes $10.1 million for Commonwealth legal aid services, $5.5 million for Community Legal Centres and $7.1 million for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS). In addition, the federal Attorney-General's Department established an Access to Justice Taskforce that will report on further measures to ensure the federal civil justice system remains simple, fair and affordable for all Australians. (Source: McClelland, R. (Attorney-General) and Debus, B. (Minister for Home Affairs) 2009, 'Funding for legal assistance services', media release, 9 May, viewed 20 August, http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/RobertMc.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2009_SecondQuarter_9May2009-FundingforLegalAssistanceServices;

McClelland, R. (Attorney-General) 2009, 'Additional $6 million for legal assistance services', media release, 30 June, viewed 20 August, http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/robertmc.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2009_SecondQuarter_30June2009-Additional$6MillionforLegalAssistanceServices)

Independent persons supporting young people in police interviews

The Victorian Law Reform Commission is currently undertaking a community law reform project on the topic of independent persons who support young people in police interviews. 'Independent persons' are volunteers who attend a police interview with a young person when their parent or guardian is unable to do so. The VLRC has produced a background paper outlining current laws and practices in this area, and is seeking public submissions on the issue. Submissions are due by Tuesday 1 September. For further information, and to download the background paper, visit: http://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Law+Reform/Home/Community+Law+Reform/LAWREFORM+-+Supporting+Young+People+in+Police+Interviews+-+Home (Source: VLRC website, viewed 14 August 2009.)

DRUGS

Articles of substance

The July 2009 edition of 'Of Substance', a magazine produced by the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD), contains a number of articles that may be of interest to practitioners in the alcohol and other drugs sector. The first (pp.22-23) looks at the role played by national research "centres of excellence" in advancing research activity in the alcohol and other drugs sector in Australia. The second (pp.24-25) outlines the fundamental aspects of good research and gives advice on how practitioners can formulate a research question, "systematically search, understand, appraise and use" relevant literature and write research papers for publication or presentation.

Alcopops: Praise for the Senate from ADCA for passing the alcopop taxation legislation

The Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), the national peak non-government agency representing the AOD sector, congratulated the Senate for passing the alcopop taxation legislation, but called for taxation reform to go even further. In a media release, ADCA said the tax will "discourage underage drinking and delay the onset of drinking by some young people. This is imperative given that 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey showed more than 20 per cent of 14- to 19-year-olds consume alcohol on a weekly basis" and that the risk of accidents, injuries, violence and self-harm occurring among drinkers aged under 18 is high. ADCA reiterated its call for standardised and consistent data collection from all Australian states and territories. The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs has confirmed that the accurate collection of data is crucial to understanding and addressing alcohol-related harm. (Source: Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), 'Alcopop Tax: The first step to reforming harmful drinking', media release, 13 August, http://www.adca.org.au/content/view/234/111/)

The "changing face of opioid dependence in Australia"

In an article published in the July 2009 edition of 'Of Substance' magazine, Associate Professor Nicholas Lintzeris (Drug Health Services, Sydney South West Area Health Service, University of Sydney) examines what he calls the "changing face of opioid dependence in Australia". Assoc. Prof. Lintzeris discusses the significant increase in opioid use in Australia in the past decade and outlines "the necessary steps to ensure that pharmaceutical opioids are available to those that benefit from their use, while limiting harms linked to aberrant drug behaviours and dependence". He also looks at strategies used in countries such as the United States and France to increase the number of individuals accessing opioid substitution treatment. (Source: 'Of Substance', v.7, n.3, 2009, pp.10-11.)

ECONOMIC ISSUES

Young women's wages 'almost on a par'

A report released earlier this year suggests that, in terms of wage equity, "Gen Y is the first generation where the wages of women are almost on a par with men". The report, 'She works hard for the money: Australian women and the gender divide' was produced as part of the AMP/National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) Income and Wealth Report series. The report's overall focus is on "women today and how their social and economic status has changed and evolved over time, and what differences can be seen between them and their male counterparts". The report can be downloaded from the publications section of the NATSEM website: http://www.canberra.edu.au/centres/natsem/home

Journalist Adele Horin wrote a feature article on this report for the 'Sydney Morning Herald' in April. The article can be viewed at: http://www.smh.com.au/news/lifeandstyle/lifematters/gen-y-women-earn-their-fair-share/2009/03/31/1238261579650.html (Source: 'Alternative Law Journal', v.34, n.2, 2009, p.124.)

EDUCATION

Report examines geographical differences in higher education participation in Victoria

On 28 July, the Parliament of Victoria's Education and Training Committee tabled the final report of its inquiry into geographical differences in the rate at which Victorian students participate in higher education. The issues the committee considered in the inquiry include school achievement and completion, aspirations towards higher education, admission into higher education, higher education provision and accessibility, financial considerations, transition to and completion of higher education, and participation in higher education by Indigenous students. Data analysis conducted as part of the inquiry "confirmed the existence of pronounced geographical differences in higher education participation across the state".

To improve higher education participation, the committee made a range of recommendations, including that the Victorian Government should, for example:

• set targets, as part of its new Higher Education Strategy, for participation in higher education by under-represented groups, particularly those in rural and regional, interface and low socioeconomic status metropolitan areas";
• support "TAFE institutes to collaborate and partner with universities in the delivery of higher education courses in regional Victoria"; and
• ask the Australian Government first, to increase to student income support payments, taking into account costs of living, and second, to make eligible for receive Youth Allowance those young people who are required to move in order to undertake tertiary studies.

The report can be downloaded in part or in full from the Victorian Parliament website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/etc/fs_inq_he.html (Source: Victorian Parliament website, viewed 18 August 2009.)

ICAN school retention program to be expanded

The Innovative Community Action Networks (ICAN) is an initiative that arose from the South Australian Government's Social Inclusion 'Making the Connections' School Retention Action Plan, which brings together young people, families, schools, community groups, businesses and different levels of government to find solutions to local issues that prevent young people from completing their education. The initiative takes a social inclusion approach to school retention and is focused on young people aged 12 to 19 years who are on the cusp of disengagement or who have dropped out of learning altogether.

In a July 2009 media release, Kate Ellis (Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth), Jane Lomax-Smith (South Australia's Minister for Education) and Social Inclusion Commissioner Monsignor David Cappo, announced that ICAN will be expanded across South Australia over the next four years. ICAN's state manager is Phillipa Duigan, ph: (08) 8226 1726. (Source: ICAN website, http://www.ican.sa.edu.au, viewed 18 November 2008, 27 August 2009; Government of South Australia, Department of Education and Children's Services, http://tinyurl.com/5seun7 or http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/portal/students.asp?group=stayingschool&id=ican, viewed 2 November 2008, and 'ICAN Newsletter', n.9, October 2008; Department of Education, 'Employment and Workplace Relations, ICAN Initiative to go State Wide', media release, 28 July 2009, http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_090728_134234.aspx

Action plan for the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education

Earlier this month, the Australian Education Union called on the federal government to rescue the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education in the Northern Territory, which provides tertiary education for about 3,000 Indigenous people in the NT and remote communities. According to the ABC online news service, the institute's chancellor, Yvonne Cadet-James, said the institute has had "money trouble for some time". The federal and Territory governments have taken steps through an action plan to secure the future of the institute to ensure that students continue and complete their studies and to reinvigorate the institute's mission. (Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/20/2661479.htm, and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, 'Action plan for Batchelor Institute to secure future', media release, 21 August 2009.)

Projects funded by the National Vocational Education and Training Research and Evaluation Program

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has commissioned seven new research projects under the open category funding of the NVETRE. This research will be managed by NCVER on behalf of the Australian, state and territory governments. In late 2009, NCVER will invite applications for the next NVETRE open category funding round. The seven projects currently funded by the National Vocational Education and Training Research and Evaluation Program are outlined at: http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/mr/2009/2009jul16.html

Many tertiary students consider dropping out

The latest round of the Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE), conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in 2008, indicated that approximately one-third of tertiary students in Australia and New Zealand consider dropping out of their courses before graduation. Students reported that they were more likely to drop out for financial or practical reasons rather than because of problems related to the quality of the education they were receiving. Findings from the 2008 survey are contained in the report 'Engaging students for success', which can be downloaded at: http://www.acer.edu.au/ausse(Source: 'Research Developments', n.21, 2009, p.15.)

Middle schooling

The winter 2009 edition of 'Research Developments' contains a short article on middle schooling by Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) research directors Professor Stephen Dinham and the late Dr Ken Rowe. The article outlines their review of research into middle schooling undertaken for the New Zealand Ministry of Education. Their review found a "serious lack of quantitative, evidence-based studies into the effects of middle schooling". However, they noted that middle schooling was "neither a good thing nor a bad thing", and that "what is actually done within classrooms is the most important thing, not structures". They concluded that "the most important factors for high-quality education are quality teaching and learning provision; teaching standards and ongoing teacher professional learning focused on evidence-based teaching practices that are demonstrably effective in maximising students' engagement, learning outcomes and achievement progress". The full review 'Teaching and learning in middle schooling: A review of the literature' can be downloaded from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/schooling/33825/2 (Source: 'Research Developments', n.21, 2009, pp.6-8.)

ACER establishes Ken Rowe Fund

To commemorate the work of the late Dr Ken Rowe, former director of ACER's Learning Processes and Contexts Research Program, ACER has established the Ken Rowe Fund. Dr Rowe was killed in the bushfires that devastated Victoria on 7 February 2009. The Ken Rowe Fund will be used to support two of Dr Rowe's educational interests - it will support research training in quantitative methods and provide practical support to schools, kindergartens and early childhood centres in the Marysville area in Victoria. For further information, visit: http://www.acer.edu.au/about/KenRoweFund.html (Source: 'Research Developments', n.21, 2009, p.15.)

2008 Graduate Pathways Survey

In 2008, ACER conducted a survey examining the education and employment outcomes of over 9,000 Australian bachelor degree graduates who were five years into their careers. Findings indicated that graduates had a median salary of $60,000 five years after graduation, which is significantly more than the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimate of the average wage of all Australian workers, which is $46,332. Results from the survey, conducted for the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), have been published in the report 'The 2008 Graduate Pathways Survey: Graduates' education and employment outcomes five years after completion of a bachelor degree at an Australian university', which can be downloaded at: http://www.acer.edu.au/gps (Source: 'Research Developments', n.21, 2009, p.15.)

EMPLOYMENT

Young people: Finding their way in a new era: Policy forum

How well do young people make the transition between school to further study or work? Past research has shown that young people fare less well than other age groups in the workforce during economic downturns. In light of the current economic climate, this policy forum aims to explore how best to prepare youth aged 15 to 24 years for the future. The forum takes place on 10 November 2009 in Melbourne. The keynote speaker is Adam Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Young Australians. The Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Youth, and Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, will present a lunchtime address, and research sessions will focus on researchers' work currently being undertaken to improve education outcomes, skills and social engagement. Panelists will include the ACT youth peak's Alice Bleby and Phillip McKenzie of the Australian Council for Educational Research, among others. More at: http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/policy/forum.html

The state of Victoria's children 2008

Victoria's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development released this document in August. This report provides an overview of how children (aged 0–17 years) are faring. See: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/directions/children/annualreports.htm or http://tinyurl.com/kuty8r

Youth unemployment in the UK and Australia

In the UK, statistics from the Department for Children, Schools and Families show that both the number of younger teenagers considered to be neither in work nor in the education system and the number of 18- to 24-year-olds not engaged in employment or study, have grown. See: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=2205

In Australia, youth unemployment is the highest it has been since November 2001 (26 per cent in June 2009, an increase of 1,300 young people on the previous month). http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/MSB/15.htm

Young people with poor labour force attachment

The Australian Fair Pay Commission Secretariat conducts an ongoing research program that provides independent research and analysis to inform wage-setting decisions and monitor their impact. Their report, 'Young people with poor labour force attachment: A survey of concepts, data and previous research', by Jocelyn Pech, Anne McNevin and Lucy Nelm, focuses on the 'not fully engaged' group of young people and its changing composition over the past decade. The authors note that it is probable that young people will be one of the groups most adversely affected by the current economic downturn. "In the past year there is evidence of a significant decline in employment, accompanied by an increase in unemployment. Part-time employment has also increased, especially among young men."

From the report's introduction: "Longitudinal studies appear to show that young people's experience in their first year out of school has a significant impact upon their later labour market prospects. Those securing full-time employment in that first year are more likely to be in full-time employment in later years, while those with early experience of unemployment or labour market withdrawal are more likely than others to have subsequent or continued periods without paid work. A number of factors, such as early school leaving, young motherhood, disability, being Indigenous and having a language background other than English, have been found to be associated with poorer labour market outcomes in the first five to seven post-school years. However, in relation to young mothers, the evidence as to the direction of causality is not clear-cut." The report, 'Young people with poor labour force attachment: A survey of concepts, data and previous research', can be downloaded from the commission's website, http://www.fairpay.gov.au/fairpay/NewsPublications/Commissionedresearch/Commissionedresearch.htm