Question & Answer – Enquiry into Details Regarding JCP Youth and Meeting with DECYP

December 10, 2025

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

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Regarding an ABC report on 20 November this year stating that, following concerns raised over the social media images of balaclava-clad male adults during a ‘blackout program’ run by JCP Youth, the education department has met with that organisation. Can the
government:

(a) confirm when that meeting occurred and who attended on behalf of the department;

(b) detail what was discussed, including any information requested by the department regarding both the specific incident depicted in those now removed social media images and also the broader blackout program more generally;

(c) detail any information provided by JCP Youth at the meeting or which the organisation may have undertaken to provide at a later date; and

(d) clarify whether any changes will be implemented regarding JCP Youth’s approach to program delivery, such as having more proactive departmental oversight and reporting?

ANSWER

Mr President, I think you might’ve already noticed, the Minister for Children and Young People is losing her voice, so I thank the member for allowing me to answer in her place and I will use the words just as set out. The answer to:

(a) I am advised a meeting occurred between the Department for Education, Children and Young People and JCP Youth on 11 November 2025. At this meeting, the department was represented by the following senior staff members, Secretary of Department of Education, Children and Young People, Deputy Secretary of Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations and the Director of the Office of the Secretary.

(b) I’m advised the department raised current issues with public commentary relating to the JCP Youth Blackout Challenge and responses to the JCP Youth social media posts. The department reiterated its expectations of JCP Youth relating to consent, data management and privacy and social media and how these matters relate to the funding agreement and relevant legislative requirements to ensure safety and wellbeing of department-referred BEAST program participants. The department requested it be informed in advance of the next scheduled blackout challenge, so that the department’s attendance could be considered.

(c) I’m advised JCP Youth provided the following information during the meeting on 11 November 2025. It confirmed that the social media images in question were removed promptly, outlined the purpose and delivery model of the blackout challenge and shared the JCP Youth plan and approach to social media in future. JCP Youth representatives indicated there are no future blackout challenges currently scheduled. The department continues to meet with JCP Youth according to the funding agreement. This includes monthly operational governance meetings and quarterly contract management reviews.

(d) I’m advised at this time no formal changes to the JCP’s Youth BEAST program delivery model have been requested by the department. Under the funding agreement, the following are required in relation to oversight and reporting: annual financial accountability reporting, annual service delivery reporting, quarterly service delivery reporting and monthly operational governance meeting participation. The Director of Strategic Commissioning and Partnerships holds responsibility for reviewing the reports and monitoring compliance according to the funding agreement. I’m also advised JCP Youth and the department meet monthly through a dedicated operational governance group to discuss operational matters and risks relating to department referred participants. The operational governance group also includes the JCP Youth CEO. The quarterly performance reports provided by JCP Youth under the funding agreement are additionally reviewed by the JCP operational governance group. I’m advised JCP Youth quarterly reports are also provided to the department’s Deputy Secretary, Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations, and the Secretary of the Department for Education, Children and Young People.

It is my expectation, and obviously the ministers, that the department and JCP Youth strictly adhere to the reporting and compliance requirements under the funding agreement.

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

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

I have another question for the Minister for Children and Youth, but I believe the Leader will have the answer for me. This is regarding statements by emeritus distinguished professor Rob White reported in an ABC report on 20 November this year. That report was titled ‘Department meets with JCP Youth over social media posts showing camp workers in balaclavas’ in which Professor White states, and I quote:

I have to say, when I look at those images there’s nothing in those images that is trauma-informed or trauma-responsive.

And quote:

In fact, it is completely the opposite of everything that we’re trying to do in the area of juvenile justice and rehabilitation and restorative justice.

Can the government

(e) advise whether the department has requested and obtained any peerreviewed therapeutic or trauma-informed responsive accreditation of any JCP youth programs including the BEAST program or the opt-in blackout program?

(f) advise whether the department has requested and obtained any accredited therapeutic or trauma-responsive qualifications of any former or current JCP youth staff members?

ANSWER

Mr President, In answer to question:

(g) Under the funding agreement between the Department for Education, Children and Young People and JCP Youth, the minister advised its service must be guided by the following COI recommendations: the Youth Justice Blueprint of 2024-2034, the Youth Justice Diversionary Framework and the Youth Justice Model of Care. The principles of the model of care in particular outline a trauma-informed and therapeutic strengths-based practice to support at-risk and offending children and young people from interactions with the youth justice system. The Director of Strategic Commissioning and Partnerships holds responsibility for monitoring compliance according to the funding agreement. The minister has also advised the department also monitors delivery of JCP Youth contracted services through dedicated monthly operational governance meetings and standardised quarterly reporting.

It is also my expectation – the minister’s expectation – that the independent evaluation of the JCP Youth BEAST Program will include assessment against the government’s Youth Justice Reform Strategy and COI recommendations.

The minister will be seeking regular updates. The minister has also advised JCP Youth staff undergo a five-week initial induction which includes how to work with young people in a trauma-informed way delivered through Lifeline. JCP Youth staff also undergo ongoing training once a month, including the application of the Child and Youth Safe Standards and how to keep children safe.