What have we done and what are we doing? FASD and Justice Projects

Prevalence in the justice system Children and young people with FASD can be involved in high risk, socially unacceptable and harmful behaviours so have a high risk of becoming engaged with the justice system. International research: 2013 review reported people in correctional facilities considered to be at high risk of FASD at 98 to 233 per 1,000 23% youth in juvenile detention had a diagnosis of FASD 19x greater risk of person with FASD to be incarcerated

WA Bench Book Section 4: People with disabilities Chief Justice asked researchers at the Telethon Kids Institute for information on FASD for inclusion in the Bench Book – used by all judges and magistrates across Western Australia

FASD: Knowledge, attitudes & practice in the WA justice system Surveyed judicial officers, lawyers, corrective services staff and WA police What did justice professionals know about FASD? How did it impact on their practice? What information did they want?

FASD: Knowledge, attitudes & practice in the WA justice system Survey 427 judicial officers, lawyers, corrective services staff and police officers in Western Australia 90% had heard of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 64% had heard of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 50% basic understanding 21% good understanding Mainstream media most reported source of information (60%) 82% wanted more information about FASD  70% via website  50% via CPD

Translation Understanding FASD – a guide for justice professionals Develop an educational intervention to prepare for the challenges facing judicial officers and lawyers so that they can: recognise cognitive impairments and possible FASD in young people engaging with the justice system whether as a victim, witness or offender identify legal implications consider referral for assessment if the disability is suspected consider decision making with respect to orders, sentencing and management

Understanding FASD – a guide for justice professionals 6 educational videos explaining FASD and its effects on young people and implications for the justice system On-line CPD module for lawyers development/ FASD and Justice website Updated information for Bench Book Presentations at workshops, seminars and conferences

Banksia Hill FASD Project Objectives: Establish the first Australian estimate of FASD in young people in detention Provide a workforce development strategy for staff involved in the care of young people with FASD that will support a model of management appropriate for young people with FASD and other impairments

Screening and diagnosis Workforce development Qualitative case study Data linkage study Young people in detention Screening assessment Diagnostic assessment Case identification and management plan Risk factors and outcomes: health, justice, education Targeted intervention: specific strategies for individual case management General intervention: awareness and management strategies Prevalence estimate and screening instrument development Holistic evaluation of interventions using multiple data sources

Eligibility criteria Sentenced at Banksia Hill Detention Centre Minimum age 10 years, maximum age 17 years and 11 months Minimum sentence length remaining is two weeks Informed assent from the young person Written informed consent from parent/guardian Deemed suitable for the research project by Banksia Hill staff Access to translators if English is not their first language

What does the study involve? Young person – Facial photo, height, weight, head circumference, interviews – Multidisciplinary clinical assessments: Paediatrician Neuropsychologist Speech Pathologist Occupational Therapist Responsible adult (or CPFS in some cases) – Survey (prenatal alcohol exposure) – Information about young person’s behaviour on the outside Teachers and Custodial Officers Review of medical and educational records

Workforce development Information gained about will be fed back to custodial staff, and other DCS and CPFS staff involved in the care and management of young people with FASD in the justice system. Training will be based on: -Existing management strategies used internationally for young people with neurodevelopmental impairments in detention and other secure facilities -Common findings from the clinical assessment reports -Baseline surveys of knowledge, attitudes, skills and practices among custodial and other youth justice services staff -Qualitative interviews will custodial staff and the young people about effective management strategies The training will be evaluated before being distributed more widely

Resources – Telethon Kids Institute FASD and Justice videos development/ List of resources such as videos, print materials, support groups available from our website