Introduce Culturally Preproperate Disability Tool

Directorate: Youth Justice

Division: Child Protection Permanency, District and Youth Justice

Project summary

Focus Area:

• Improving access to mainstream services through better systems and processes.

Project objective

Identify and implement a culturally appropriate disability, mental health and trauma screening tool and information gathering process for frontline service delivery and standardise the use across Youth Justice.

What will success look like?

• Screening tool in use.
• All young people in contact with Youth Justice undergo screening for disability, mental health and experience of trauma.

Planned actions

1. Assess feasibility of using the Westerman Aboriginal Symptom Checklist Youth (WASC-Y)
2. If considered feasible, screening tool implemented
3. Youth Justice staff and relevant others trained in using tool.

Status report

Current Status: Ongoing

Date: July 2022

Status Notes:

May 2021

Psychologists trained in use of the tool

Executive to consider ongoing use and funding of tool on 26/5/21

1. Screening tool in use.
2. ll young people in contact with Youth Justice undergo screening for disability, mental health and experience of trauma.

July 2022

All Youth Justice Psychologists have been trained and accredited in Westerman Aboriginal Symptom Checklist Youth (WASC-Y & WASC-A) which is the first culturally and scientifically validated psychological test developed specifically for Aboriginal Australian youth. It identifies Aboriginal youth at risk of depression, suicidal behaviours, drug and alcohol use, impulsivity, anxiety, and cultural resilience as a moderator of risk.