In the Spotlight
Newpin – a Social Benefit Bond for families
As part of the Queensland Government Social Benefit Bond Pilot Program, UnitingCare Queensland (UCQ) has been successful in attracting private funding to bring a new service to support Queensland families. Newpin Queensland, will be delivered in three locations, the...
read more#YouthChoices Multi Systemic Therapy – the first Social Benefit Bond in youth offending
In an innovative and practical move towards bringing people together to address social problems, the Queensland Government joined with the National Australia Bank (NAB) and Life Without Barriers to launch the first Social Benefit Bond in the field of youth offending....
read moreYouth CONNECT – one of Queensland’s Social Benefit Bonds
In July 2015 the Queensland Treasury released three Social Benefit Bonds, in recognition of the need to try a different approach to tackling challenging social issues. The Youth CONNECT Social Benefit Bond is the first in the world to focus on improving the life...
read moreWords of wisdom and hope at PeakCare’s AGM 2017 – Part Two
In Part Two of Words of Wisdom and Hope from PeakCare’s AGM, Lorraine Dupree reports on highlights from a panel-led discussion that was featured in the evening’s program. The panel members included Michael Hogan, Director General, Department of Communities, Child...
read moreWords of wisdom and hope in child protection reform at PeakCare’s 2017 AGM – Part One
PeakCare’s 2017 Annual General Meeting was uplifted by words of wisdom offered by guest speaker, The Hon. Shannon Fentiman MP and an expert panel comprising of Michael Hogan, Director General, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services; Cheryl...
read moreAASW/PeakCare Child Protection Practice Forum is In the Spotlight
On Friday, 17th November a record number of practitioners joined with the AASW/PeakCare Child Protection practice group to tackle the question Who is the client? Reflecting on the complexity of child protection and family support practice in the context of the...
read moreIn the Spotlight: Balancing the response to domestic and family violence
Historically Queensland’s child safety response to domestic and family violence, like many of their counterparts globally, often held the non- perpetrating parent and victims of violence accountable for their perceived failure to protect their children in families...
read more
2017 Transition to Independence Month Launch
Transition to Independence (T2I) Month 2017 was launched this morning in Yeppoon with 16 years old Kylie at the helm. Recent child protection legislative amendments mean that there is a greater reason to celebrate young people’s transition from care to independence...
read moreInitiatives in response to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause irreversible damage to the foetus, resulting in conditions referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is a non-diagnostic catch all term for the range of disabilities that result from alcohol exposure...
read moreA new look forum for child protection and family support practitioners is “In the Spotlight”
The AASW/PeakCare Child Protection Practice group was established and is co-facilitated by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Queensland Branch and PeakCare Queensland. Membership consists of social workers, human services and social sciences...
read more
A first for Queensland’s Mental Health Week in 2017
2017 is the first year that Queensland communities have been able to apply for $85,000 in grant funding to assist them in sharing key mental health messages and raising awareness. The aim is to have multiple events around Queensland that contribute to improved mental...
read more
Anti-Poverty Week 2017
“As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest. Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” – Nelson...
read moreGearing up for Transition to Independence Month 2017
Transition to Independence Month (T2I Month) is held in November each year. It aims to raise awareness in the child protection sector and the broader community about the needs of young people as they transition from out of home care to independence each year. The...
read moreListening to children and young people
The importance of listening to children and young people is becoming increasingly understood as central to their wellbeing, safety and development. This is particularly so where matters of child protection are concerned. Queensland Child Protection Week (QCPW) notes...
read moreIn the Spotlight – A tribute by Karyn Walsh
A Tribute A Tribute to the Historical Abuse Network and all individuals who have experienced abuse in institutions, foster care and detention centres. Remembrance Day 2017 falls within the last year of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual...
read more
In the Spotlight – Queensland Child Protection Week
As we reported last week, Child Protection Week was launched with outstanding award recipients being recognised during the Queensland Child Protection Week 2017 Awards ceremony. This week over 100 events have taken place all over Queensland to share the key messages...
read moreChild Protection Week Award recipients
Nine outstanding award recipients were recognised yesterday during the Queensland Child Protection Week 2017 Launch and Awards ceremony at Premier’s Hall. This year is particularly notable in terms of shining the spotlight on outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait...
read moreInsights into ice: Much bigger than rehabilitation
At the recent ‘Just Ice?‘ Symposium Jane Bowman, Brisbane Program Manager of the Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) Treatment Team and Niki Parry, Peer/Case Manager of Brisbane’s Treatment Team, spoke about the many complexities of methamphetamine...
read more
Professor Sharon Dawe’s insights: How and when does parental use of amphetamines impact on parenting capacity? A challenge for assessment and family support
In speaking at the recent ‘Just Ice?’ Symposium, Professor Sharon Dawe posed the conundrum of making decisions in the context of uncertainty. She then offered a potential solution, proposing that a Capacity to Change assessment would shift the focus from...
read moreIn the Vault: Just Ice? Symposium topics – Understanding methamphetamine
Dovetail’s Cameron Francis offered his keynote presentation early on day one of the Just Ice? Symposium. In doing so, he ensured facts replaced myths and challenged preconceived biases and assumptions. Dovetail provides clinical advice and professional support to...
read moreJust Ice? That is the question – what is the answer? Lorraine’s reflections on the Just Ice? Symposium
The ‘Just Ice?’ Symposium focused on the complex topic of child protection, family support and holistic wellbeing for families and communities faced with issues of methamphetamine use. Titled ‘Just Ice?’ the aim of the symposium was to oust...
read moreIn the Vault: How ice impacted my family
With the ‘Just Ice?’ Symposium less than a week away, we note the personal reflections of a family member who courageously shares their own experiences and those of their family when someone close became addicted. Early signs I noticed signs that something...
read moreIn the Vault: Prevalence of ICE in families where a child was admitted to ongoing intervention
The latest deposit to PeakCare’s Ice Bank is updated information in the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services study about the prevalence of methamphetamine use amongst parents whose children were made subject to a child protection order...
read more‘Just Ice?’ Symposium
On August 3rd and 4th PeakCare, QATSICPP and the Queensland Government will bring you ‘Just Ice?’, a symposium focusing on the impact of crystal methamphetamine (ice) on Queensland’s children, families and communities. Throughout these two days we’ll hear...
read moreIn the Vault: Focusing Australia’s Ice strategy on the problem, not the symptoms
The ice problem in Australia is complex but can be summarised: By global standards, a significantly large proportion of Australians use ice, and they do so frequently. Despite law enforcement agencies’ record seizures, the price of ice for Australian users is...
read moreIn the Vault: Parental substance misuse – Improving outcomes for children
In the 2008 article by Sharon Dawe, Paul Harnett and Sally Frye Improving outcomes for children living in families with parental substance misuses: What do we know and what should we do, the authors provide insight into the research, sociological considerations,...
read moreIn the Vault: Portugal’s approach to drug use decriminalisation
Decriminalisation – Why all the fuss about Portugal? As countries the world over struggle with drug policy and legislation, those looking at the option of decriminalisation often cite Portugal as an example. Portugal’s history of drugs is chequered. The country...
read moreIn the Vault: Outcomes for Australian methamphetamine users
A collaboration between the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) examined selected demographic characteristics and outcomes of methamphetamine users in both the general population and the criminal justice...
read moreIn the Vault: The safety and wellbeing of children in families with complex needs
On 27th April Queensland’s first ice summit was held in Rockhampton. Minister Shannon Fentiman released the latest research based on Queensland’s first year long study into the drug habits of families known to the Department of Child Safety. One third of children who...
read moreIn the Vault: Wisdom from Canada’s First Nations
Crystal methamphetamine (ice) was noted as having evolved into an issue requiring attention for Canadian First Nations over a decade ago. In July of 2005, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Canada passed a resolution specifically directed at dealing with this...
read more