Leading child welfare charity CASPA has been nominated for a national award following an innovative initiative that has reduced interactions between children and the justice system.

The initiative – Joint Protocol – is a partnership with NSW Police that seeks to create better outcomes for the children and young people CASPA supports, as well as for the wider community.

Under Joint Protocol, CASPA team members trained in intensive therapeutic care and behaviour support have become the frontline of response to situations that may involve police and trauma-impacted children. 

The initiative is now in the running for a Collaboration Excellence Award from Third Sector Awards – the largest and most prestigious awards ceremony within the not-for-profit sector.

CASPA CEO Naarah Rodwell said the nomination was testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

"Children and young people interacting with the juvenile justice system often come from backgrounds of trauma,” she said.

“Evidence shows their pathway to recovery will only occur through trauma informed responses and supports – not through punitive measures.

“It’s fantastic to witness the Joint Protocol reducing the incidence of young people receiving intensive therapeutic care having contact with police and bringing their rate of contact in line with their peers growing up in traditional family settings.”

Research by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has found interaction with police and justice is compounded when the child or young person has experienced abuse, neglect and/or trauma, and further compounded if disability is a factor.

In contrast, collaborative intervention methods and the strengthening of relationships between police and support providers reduce reoffending in at-risk youth.

Ms Rodwell said: “The role of CASPA’s team is to approach and attend to the child or young person and address situations from a mental health perspective and not as a police incident.

“CASPA staff are trained to de-escalate matters, focusing on the young person’s safety and well-being while managing their emotional responses and reducing police interaction with the person. 

“It means police and other emergency responders can be briefed by our team member on the child’s background and any triggers or manners of approach that could support the child’s emotional and behavioural needs – making interactions more successful for both the child and responders.”

Joint Protocol members in the Richmond Police District meet regularly. The group has recently widened to include collaboration and insights from community legal services, the Department of Communities and Justice, and other agencies, all working together to build trust with children and young people in out of home care, delivering them better outcomes and experiences as well as better outcomes for the community. 

AIHW figures show just over half (53%) of young people interacting with the youth justice system have had an out of home care experience, and the earlier the age of their first interaction, the higher the rate of continued presentation with youth justice.

For children whose first interaction is around the age of 10, the re-presentation rate is 81 per cent, but for those whose first interaction is around the age of 17 to 18, the rate drops significantly to between 18 to 31 per cent.

Richmond Police District data showed incidents involving children and young people in out-of-home care fell significantly in the past two years, including a drop of 87.5 per cent in property crime.

CASPA’s regular briefings with local police provide education and increase awareness of the impact of negative early childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect and their correlation with trauma and disability related behaviours in children and young people.   

Third Sector Award winners are chosen by public vote. To pledge support for CASPA’s Joint Protocol initiative, please visit thirdsectorawards.com.au.