Therapeutic models of youth detention

In February and March 2023, Kate Bjur travelled to six countries and visited over 20 secure settings for young people as part of a Churchill Fellowship. In this presentation, Kate describes the common elements of the most successful youth detention centres she visited. Success is defined in many ways, including reduced offending after release, safer environments for young people and staff, higher staff retention and young people's increased connection to their families and the broader community. Examples of best contemporary practice include New York City's Close to Home Initiative, Spain's Diagrama Re-education Centres, Denmark's Youth Detention Centres and the State of Missouri's Division of Youth Services' Missouri Model. Based on the common features of these models, Kate will present a vision for therapeutic youth detention that includes elements such as change-oriented programming, engaging young people in meaningful activity, family therapy and leaves of absence for the purpose of reintegration. This model is most effective in smaller, home-like settings that are close to young people's families and communities.

Kate Bjur is the General Manager, Policy, Research & Advocacy PeakCare Queensland. She has over 25 years’ experience working with and on behalf of children and young people in Japan, Canada, England and Australia. Her experience includes youth detention senior leadership, restorative practice, child safety policy, early childhood education, youth advocacy and family work. In 2023, Kate travelled around the world as part of a Churchill Fellowship project investigating best practice in youth crime prevention, gang exit strategies and therapeutic models of youth detention. Using this broad experience and international research, Kate is dedicated to advocating for children’s rights; hearing and amplifying the voices of children, young people and their families; and connecting government and non-government partners to increase the responsiveness and flexibility of the child and family service system. Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese language and literature from the University of Queensland as well as post-graduate qualifications in the fields of Organisational Change Management, Community Services Work, Business, Early Childhood Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

This seminar is free for ANZAPPL members. Please click here to register.