Question & Answer – JCP Youth

December 3, 2025

JCP Youth – Database on Young People

Ms WEBB question to MINISTER for CHILDREN and YOUTH, Ms PALMER

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

My question seeks an update on a previous Question Time response. It is in relation to a news article published in The Examiner newspaper on 22 October 2025 regarding the operations of JCP Youth, which included the following statements regarding the organisation’s collation of a database:

We patrol through the CBD, we have hotspot patrols around the northern suburbs, we identify what young people are out on the street.

And another quote:

Information on young people is then logged into a software program to enable JCP Youth’s staff to monitor where, when and with whom they saw a young person.

Can the government:

(1) Confirm whether these patrols are operating under the BEAST Program? If so, is this activity included as part of the funding agreement provision?

(2) Clarify the legal basis for JCP Youth to be broadly recording young people out on the street if it is not being done under a government funded program.

(3) Detail how many participants of the BEAST Program that come under the 54 full-time placements are recorded on the database referred to in the quote.

(4) Clarify whether JCP Youth has provided any information to the government with regard to this database and if so whether any of that information collection/retention/sharing with government adheres to schedule 1, Personal Information Protection Principles of the Personal Information Protection Act 2004.

(5) Provide full details of the software program used and the type of information being recorded by JCP Youth about young people as part of this surveillance activity, including:
(a) any stated purpose for that information collation;
(b) the duration for which the information is kept;
(c) any data management, access restrictions and protections applied to the database and its contents;
(d) who has access to this software program and information it contains on young people, including their personal details and their location; and
(e) how access to data and information contained on this program is managed, recorded and audited.

ANSWER

Thankyou Honourable member for the question.

(2)

Broadly recording young people’s movements is not a requirement between JCP Youth and DECYP.
Under its funding agreement with DECYP, JCP Youth is required to adhere to relevant legislation including the Personal Information Protection Act.
The Department has contacted JCP Youth for further information and I have requested the Department provide me with an update as soon as the information is available.
Under JCP Youth’s funding agreement, participants referred by DECYP are recorded in JCP Youth’s case management system also called a ‘database’.
Information collected by JCP Youth is managed with respect, ensuring participants’ safety, privacy, and informed involvement.
I am advised JCP Youth operates within the legal framework of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and the Tasmanian Personal Information Protection Act 2004, as well as the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023.
Requests for information about JCP Youth’s activities outside of the government funding agreement should be directed to JCP Youth.

(3)

Under JCP Youth’s funding agreement, DECYP referred participants are required to be recorded in JCP Youth’s case management system, otherwise called a database.
I am advised JCP Youth’s partnership with the department to deliver the BEAST Program is a multi-year model of 54 full-time placements distributed across the term of the funding agreement, being three years.
I am further advised for the 2025 program year, there are currently 18 active placements, all all 18 participants are recorded within JCP Youth’s secure case management system (database),
Each record includes consent documentation, progress notes, assessments, and engagement history, consistent with government and legislative compliance frameworks and retention schedules.

(4)

Under its funding agreement with DECYP, JCP Youth is required to adhere to relevant legislation including the Personal Information Protection Act.
I am advised the JCP Youth data collection and retention practices are designed to comply with Australian and Tasmanian privacy laws, including the principles under Schedule 1 of the Personal Information Protection Act 2004.
I am further advised information shared with the department is limited to what is necessary for program oversight and is managed in accordance with the department’s privacy and security requirements and the Personal Information Protection Act.

(5)

Under JCP Youth’s funding agreement with DECYP every encounter with DECYP referred participants is required to be logged in the JCP Youth case management system, which stores information for seven years and includes a reporting function.
The Department has contacted JCP Youth for further information and I have requested the Department provide me with an update as soon as the information is available.
I am advised JCP Youth uses a secure, cloud-based case management platform as the central system for recording, sharing, and managing participant information in a safe and efficient way.
This platform is specifically designed for the human services sector and complies with Australian privacy, child protection, and data management legislation. I am advised the platform meets stringent data protection and security standards, including role-based access controls, multi-factor authentication, and audit logging to safeguard sensitive information.
I am advised the system is a proven, evidence-based solution widely adopted across multiple jurisdictions in supporting collaborative case management, care planning, and the protection of vulnerable children and families. In using this platform, JCP Youth ensure that information is managed ethically and securely, enabling transparency, accountability, and best-practice service delivery.
I am advised the data and information JCP Youth collects includes:
- Participant demographics and contact details
- Emergency and medical information
- Case notes, engagement logs, and incident reports
- Consent forms and legal documentation
- Program attendance, goals, and outcomes
- Photos or videos where consent has been provided
Regarding the purpose for information and data collection, I am advised JCP youth collect this information for the sole purpose of:
- Delivering safe and effective youth development programs
- Monitoring participant wellbeing and progress
- Meeting child safety, legal, and reporting obligations, and
- Ensuring accountability to funding bodies and partners.
In regard to the retention and storage of data and information, I am advised JCP Youth works according to specific disposal schedules, including:
- General participation/administrative records: (for example, program attendance, non-sensitive notes, correspondence). JCP Youth retains this information for at least 7 years after the participant is closed.
- Case-management and support notes: (for example, behavioural and risk assessments, mental-health or offending-behaviour details) JCP Youth this information until the participant reaches the age of 25.
- Highly sensitive records: (for example where there has been serious offending, detention or secure care, or child-protection involvement) JCP Youth retains this information as per schedule for children’s records which might mean indefinitely or until the participant is at the age of 25 then archive or review for permanent retention.
I am further advised access to the JCP Youth database (or case management system) is role-restricted and audited. Only authorised staff, such as program facilitators, team leaders, and senior management, may access participant information relevant to their role. Each user is assigned an individual login and multi-factor authentication. The system logs and records every access event for audit and compliance purposes.
I am advised JCP Youth’s Privacy and Consent Agreement, signed by all participants, parents and/or guardians outlines the data collection, use, disclosure, and protection practices applied by JCP Youth.

JCP Youth – Client Management System

Ms WEBB question to MINISTER for CHILDREN and YOUTH, Ms PALMER

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

Mr President, I want to follow up here because I want to be absolutely sure on the record that in the quote that I read from The Examiner newspaper article from 22 October this year, they say they patrol the northern suburbs and identify what young people are out on the street. I quote:

Information on young people is then logged into a software program to enable JCP Youth staff to monitor where, when, and with whom they saw a young person.

When that description is made there in that article as a direct quote from JCP Youth, is the software program they’re referring to in that quote the client management system that you have described to me? When you read out the purposes of that client management system, you didn’t say monitoring notes when they’re out patrolling hotspots, for example. I want to be absolutely sure that we’re talking about one and the same systems.

ANSWER

Mr President, I will seek some advice. Yes, that is my understanding. It is one and the same.

JCP Youth and BLACOUT Challenge Program

Ms WEBB question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY referred to MINISTER for CHILDREN and YOUTH, Ms PALMER

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

In relation to the government’s arrangements with the organisation JCP Youth, and specifically regarding the organisation BLACKOUT challenge program, which recently saw on or around 10 October this year, a series of photos published on the JCP social media pages, including Instagram and Facebook, and which included images of JCP workers dressed in pseudo-military fatigues and wearing balaclavas to hide their identity, plus separate images of an 11-year-old boy who was apparently the sole young person from a total of 43 BLACKOUT Program participants to complete the entire five-day course, can the government:

(1) confirm when it became aware of the JCP BLACKOUT campaign social media posts, including those of adults in balaclavas and pseudo-military apparel and child participants, and whether the government considers these images and their communication over public social media platforms to be appropriate;

(2) detail any action, immediately and/or longer-term action taken in relation to these images;

(3) confirm whether the 11-year-old boy who was named and identifiable in the JCP Youth social media posts is under state care and protection and/or any type of youth justice order and, if so, was permission or approval sought by the relevant agency for the publication of the photos;

(4) noting these particular social media posts appear to have been removed sometime after the 24 October, clarify when those posts were removed and whether the government is aware of the reasons for the removal of these photos and posts;

(5) further noting reference to the 11-year-old boy in social media posts included information that he was from the south of the state, please detail how the 43 participants of the BLACKOUT Challenge Program were transported to the site on the north-west coast and back to their respective locations;

(6) clarify what criteria and guidance JCP Youth is using to make a determination of ‘mature minor’, also referred to as ‘Gillick competency’ for the purposes of children and young people aged 11 to 17 years of age providing informed consent to services and subsequent publication; and

(a) confirm whether appropriate written consent was obtained from or on behalf of all 43 participants of the recent BLACKOUT
campaign;

(b) under schedule 2, section 2.2.5, Activities of the Funding Agreement, detail what government oversight and compliance of
any criteria used by JCP Youth for informed consent in this context is undertaken; and

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the honourable member for the questions. I will be answering in my capacity as Minister for Children and Youth:

(1)

My office was contacted by a constituent on 17 October 2025, raising concerns about a JCP Youth social media post in relation to its BLACKOUT Program. My office subsequently requested information from the Department for Education, Children and Young People about the BLACKOUT Program.
I am advised that the Blackout is a challenged-based camp style of program offered by JCP Youth. Participants in JCP Youth’s BEAST Program may opt to participate in the BLACKOUT Program. Participants of BEAST who are referred by DECYP may opt to participate in the BLACKOUT Program.
I am also advised the majority of the recent Blackout program participants were not young people referred by DECYP to the JCP Youth BEAST program and therefore outside the contract agreement.
Where face coverings are worn by staff, this is done briefly and by people well known to all participants.
All required consents were obtained for publishing photos of the participants on social media and approval obtained prior to posting.
I am advised the face coverings worn by young people participating in the program was done to not include faces when having their photo shared to social media, in accordance with the wishes of young people and their families.
I am advised that JCP Youth has recognised the perception from the wider public from the use of images involving face coverings, particularly involving children and young people, and has subsequently removed the post.

(2)

I am advised that the Secretary of the Department for Education, Children and Young People is seeking a meeting with JCP Youth CEO and Board.
I have requested the Department undertake an assessment of the appropriateness of the Blackout program for DECYP referred participants.
I am advised JCP Youth has acknowledged that without appropriate context, some images recently shared on social media from the Blackout challenge may have been open to misinterpretation and did not adequately convey the intended message, which is one of participant empowerment.
While some individuals have interpreted the clothing worn by staff and participants as pseudo-military attire, I am advised JCP Youth has confirmed this was not the intent and the clothing and outerwear worn by facilitators was appropriate to the environmental conditions at the time, consistent with outdoor operations across the North-West region of Tasmania during the colder months and were intended to ensure those involved remained warm and safe during the challenge.
I am advised the attire consisted of standard cold-weather apparel such as jackets, cargo pants, gloves, and face coverings used for warmth and safety; noting the clothing worn also included items such as neck gaiters or thermal hoods, which can be referred to as balaclavas. I am advised JCP Youth has acknowledged that the use of face coverings may be perceived differently by those viewing images without context.
I am further advised on recognising this, JCP Youth immediately removed the images from all social media platforms and provided
an internal directive to JCP Youth staff to review and strengthen content approval processes prior to publishing any future images on social media.

(3)

The Government cannot comment on individual children and young people details for confidentiality reasons. I am advised consent was obtained by the individual young person participating and their guardians before the social media post was published online.
It is my expectation that JCP Youth complies with all relevant legislation and obligations in accordance with its agreement with the Tasmanian Government.

(4)

The social media content relating to the Blackout program is managed by JCP Youth and the Government does not hold information regarding the timing or reasons for the removal of specific social media posts.
I am advised that on becoming aware of the social media posts, DECYP contacted the JCP Youth CEO to discuss the use of social media in the context of activities involving children and young people.
I am further advised the importance of exercising discretion when using social media was discussed and reinforced with JCP Youth, particularly where images of young participants are concerned.

(5)

I am advised DECYP has contacted JCP Youth to seek further information. I have requested the Department provide me with an update as soon as this information is available.
JCP Youth has advised the department that all participants in the Blackout challenge were transported in accordance with JCP Youth’s transport and supervision policies.
JCP Youth has advised young people were collected directly from their residential or placement address by their allocated JCP Youth program facilitator. The facilitator member is ordinarily the young person’s lead JCP Youth worker and an existing mentor to each young person.
I am advised transportation was provided in fully insured JCP Youth vehicles by qualified staff members who hold a Working with Vulnerable People registration, current driver’s licence, first aid certification, and appropriate clearances to work directly with children and young people.
At the conclusion of a young person’s participation in the Blackout challenge, the same facilitators transported participants safely back to their residential or placement address. Transport times and routes are recorded by JCP Youth as part of standard program documentation, ensuring full accountability and compliance with its internal safety procedures.

(6)

I am advised JCP Youth obtained written consent from each participant and their guardians engaged in the recent Blackout program.
Under Schedule section 2.2.5 2025 (Activities) of the Funding Agreement, JCP Youth must obtain written consent from both the referred participant and the participant’s parents or guardian before the participant commences in the Program.
I am advised DECYP last met with JCP Youth on 28 October 2025 as part of regular governance oversight meetings. JCP Youth submits annual service delivery reports including details of how JCP Youth meets relevant legislative requirements and quarterly service delivery reports.
I am advised that DECYP has contacted JCP Youth to seek further information. I have requested the Department provide me with an update as soon as this information is available:
JCP Youth has advised for participants aged 11–17 years of age it determines informed consent through the following process:
- Voluntary Participation: Each young person voluntarily elects to participate in any JCP Youth program after being provided with detailed verbal and written information regarding the nature, structure, and challenges of the program
- Program Outline: Participants receive a clear explanation of the expectations, and safety procedures in plain, age-appropriate language.
  
  Informed Agreement: Young people are asked to sign a consent and disclaimer form confirming their understanding and willingness to engage. Parental or guardian consent is also obtained.
  
  Self-determined Challenge: Participants are invited to set their own achievable program duration, which may be one night. Most participants nominate one night as their goal, and all participants successfully achieved this on the program; others elect to extend their time voluntarily based on their comfort and choice.
  
  Ongoing Assessment: Facilitators monitor each participant’s understanding, physical and emotional wellbeing, and capacity to consent throughout the program.
I am advised this approach is consistent with child-safe and trauma-informed principles, and ensures consent is meaningful, ongoing, and reflective of the participant’s maturity and comprehension of what participation involves.
I am further advised there is no requirement on any young person to participate in JCP Youth programs such as the Blackout challenge, attend or take part in any program offered by JCP Youth; and individual programs are designed alongside young people to meet pre-identified outcomes. JCP Youth varies the BEAST program activity inclusions to meet the needs of each individual participant.