The Framework to reduce criminalisation of young people in residential care, released in 2020, is a multi-agency approach to reduce contact of young people in residential care with the police and the criminal justice system.
The framework includes:
- guiding principles that reinforce trauma-informed responses, connection to culture and positive behaviour approaches
- a decision-making guide to help residential care workers decide if they need a police response
- extra guidance for police when responding to incidents in the home
- key roles and responsibilities of Victorian government departments, Victoria Police and residential care providers to deliver improved responses to young people in residential care.
In March 2023, an 18-month action plan was endorsed to progress implementation with 35 actions across signatories.
To support these actions, there is:
- a Monitoring and Implementation plan which sets out activities and key data indicators to track progress and monitoring.
- a Minimum expectations guide to support the establishment and operation of local multi-agency partnerships to drive implementation, monitoring and practice change.
To view the framework, visit A Framework to reduce criminalisation of young people in residential care.
For more information, please email Care Services at theframework@dffh.vic.gov.au.