Early intervention youth boot camp

Information session: May 2013

Outline of session

This presentation will cover the following:• Background• Program objectives• Target group• Referral pathway• Features of service delivery• Service delivery responsibilities • Requirements for funding eligibility• Key budget areas• Key dates/milestones.

Background

• The Queensland Government made an election commitment as part of its Safer Streets Crime Action Plan to trial boot camps for young people.

• On 24 March 2013, Cabinet endorsed an expansion of the youth boot camp trial to three further locations:

• early intervention youth boot camps in Rockhampton and on the Fraser/Sunshine Coast; and

• a sentenced youth boot camp in Townsville.

Background

Program development• Review of international literature• Ministerial Round Table• Written submissions• Meetings with existing boot camp service providers.

Background

Key messages from literature

Research has demonstrated that youth boot camps will be most effective if they:

• provide structure, discipline and physical activity• use physical activities to change attitudes and

negative self perceptions• address the causes of crime• continuation of the program on return to the

community.

Background

Key messages of consultation• Underpinned by integrated case management framework• Involve ‘in community’ programs and mentoring• Involve family members• Be evidence-based• Reflect the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander young people.

Background

Key messages of consultation continued…• use the time young people are removed from the

community constructively• target young people before they become entrenched in

the criminal justice system• respond to the specific needs of females• exclude young people who may place participants at risk• ensure the program is evaluated.

Background

Two youth boot camp models developed• Early Intervention Youth Boot Camp (EIYBC)

• Targeting young people before they are entrenched in the criminal justice system

• Two year trials at three sites: Gold Coast, Fraser/Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton

• Minimum of 40 participants in each location over two years

• Sentenced Youth Boot Camp (SYBC)• Targeting young people facing a detention sentence• Two year trial at two sites: Cairns and Townsville involving 40

participants in each location.

Background

Early Intervention Youth Boot Camp trial sites

• Gold Coast

• Rockhampton: Rockhampton Regional Council area including Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Mount Morgan

• Fraser and Sunshine Coasts:

• Fraser Coast Regional Council area including Hervey Bay and Maryborough

• Gympie Regional Council area including Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay

• Sunshine Coast Regional Council area from Rainbow Beach to Kenilworth, down to Beerburrum in Glass House Mountains, the top half of Bribie Island and up the Sunshine Coast.

EIYBC objectives

Key objectives

• reduce likelihood of future involvement in criminal activity

Other important objectives

• challenge the attitudes and behaviours of young people

• increase participation in school/employment

• improve health and well-being

• develop family functioning

• develop understanding of consequences

• develop personal and inter-personal skills

• connect family and young person to support services

EIYBC target group

• Young people aged 12 –16 years who are at high risk of entry to and having long term involvement in the criminal justice system.

• Three or more of the following risk factors are likely to be present:• early family/parental conflict• poor parental supervision and discipline• association with peer group with anti-social attitudes• early involvement with alcohol and drug use• family members condoning anti-social behaviour• child maltreatment• disengagement from education, training• anti-social behaviour.

EIYBC referral pathway

• The EIYBC program is voluntary and young people are not required to admit guilt to an offence to be eligible for program referral.

• Young people may be referred to the EIYBC by government and non-government agencies including:• police• education• health• child safety.

• Trial target: minimum of 20 young people per year.

Features of service delivery

• Four EIYBC programs may be delivered each year of the trial, with 5 –10 young people participating in each camp.

• Family members of young people could participate in program activities at selected points-in-time.

Program phases• camp • community integration• mentoring

Features of service delivery

Gold Coast camp configuration – as an example onlyTwo camps per program • 10 day camp (at commencement) • 5 day camp (at completion).

Initial camp• Involves challenging physical activities in a safe

environment.• Parents invited to attend on the final weekend of the

camp.

Features of service delivery

• Educational/vocational, health, family support, life-skills needs of participants will be identified to inform activities taking place in the next phase.

Final camp• Occurs at the end of the community integration

phase. • Used to reinforce the behaviour change that has

been achieved and set longer term goals for the participants.

Features of service delivery

Community integration• Support the young person and their family within their

community and continue work delivered during camp phase.

• Support may be available for a period of at least three months.

• Partnerships developed with local government and non-government providers to provide education, training and employment, health, family support and individual support services.

Features of service delivery

Mentoring• Mentoring could be introduced in the camp phase and

extend beyond the completion of the program.

• Mentors may provide guidance, encouragement and support to young people through a structured and trusting relationship.

• Service providers may partner with existing mentoring services or develop a volunteer mentoring network to deliver mentoring activities.

Features of service delivery

Program considerations• Cultural competence in planning and delivery

• Staff that are trained, supervised and hold relevant qualifications

• Appropriate case management frameworks

• Informed consent from participants supporting the participation of family members.

Program delivery

Funded service provider responsibilities• Assess referrals.

• Deliver camps

• Ensure the camp learnings are integrated back in community life

• Identify and develop mentoring network.

• Collect detailed and high quality information for evaluation purposes.

Funding eligibility requirements

Recommendations for submissions:• address all selection criteria • evidence to support each claim by service provider /

subcontracted service provider• evidence that the organisation can meet or exceed

targets• describe what the proposed program will look like and

how it will be implemented and managed• what the program is going to cost to implement and

deliver• partner with other agencies if that adds value to your

proposal

Funding eligibility requirements

• Establish that service provider is financially and organisationally viable

• have no outstanding financial accountability, service delivery or performance issues for funding previously provided by the Queensland Government

• hold public liability and other relevant insurance (or provide plans to obtain insurance)

• provide evidence that the organisation has the capacity to deliver and sustain the service required.

Selection of service provider

Written submissions will be assessed on:• Selection criteria answers and supporting evidence • Eligibility criteria (approved service provider etc)• Ability to meet performance targets and outcomes for

young people and families• Proposed budget and value for money

Key budgetary considerations

• Funds will be provided across a two year period. • Budgets should include an itemised annual budget for

each year of the trial.• Service providers will be required to create cost-

efficiencies where possible.

Performance and evaluation

• Service providers will be required to report quarterly on identified performance measures

• A process and outcome evaluation will be undertaken to assess the trial.

• Data collection will be required of the service provider to contribute to the evaluation

Key dates/milestones

• Funding submissions close: 21 June 2013

• Attorney-General announcement of funded service provider: 19 July 2013

• Service delivery commences: September 2013 or before

Further information

• For tender documentation please go to: http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/youth-justice/youth-boot-camps-general-information

• Please send any queries regarding the Expression of Interest Information Paper or Submission Form to youthbootcamps@justice.qld.gov.au and a departmental representative will respond.

• Questions?