Application and Assessment Process and Eligibility Criteria

Application Procedure

Upon initial contact with Tirkandi Inaburra the applicant, his parent / carer / sponsor will be referred to the Community Liaison Officer or Snr Youth Worker who will undertake an initial informal assessment by telephone to ascertain whether the applicant meets the essential eligibility criteria.

Only when this has been established will more formal steps be instigated.

If the applicant is initially considered eligible:

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The applicant will be required to submit a completed and signed Application Form. Tirkandi Inaburra staff can assist in this process if required. The applicant’s legal guardian will be required to submit a signed consent form supporting the applicant’s application for the program and enabling Tirkandi Inaburra to receive, retain and where necessary act on personal information provided to Tirkandi Inaburra. Where applicable the sponsor will be required to submit a completed Sponsorship Form that incorporates relevant background information

For non DoCS and DJJ sponsorships a sponsorship form is completed and returned with notation of any known and relevant background information For DoCS and DJJ sponsorships (or if client is supervised by either of these departments), the sponsorship form must be completed and returned to Tirkandi Inaburra along with: • Completed Risk Assessment Form • Any current comprehensive court reports • Any psychological reports completed during the last four years • Individual Client Agreement (DoCS only) • Any other relevant documentation

The application will not be processed until this information is received.

Assessment Procedures

If further information is required a member of the Operations Team will contact the applicant sponsor / parent / carer within one week of receiving an Application Form with an attached signed Personal Information Consent Form in order to determine and record a more detailed client profile which may be required to more adequately assess suitability for the program and risk factors.

If the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and is assessed initially as a willing and potential candidate that will benefit from attending the Centre, the applicant will be required to have a Medical Assessment Report completed by a Doctor of their choice.

The Medical Assessment Report is an essential element in the decision making process as staff must be have prior knowledge of any medical conditions that may put the participant at risk while participating in any aspects of the activities undertaken at Tirkandi Inaburra. This assessment is also necessary to enable staff to make judgments as to whether the Centre and its staff have the capacity to meet and manage any identified physical and medical needs of the applicant.

Applicants to the program may be required to attend an assessment interview at a regional venue nominated by Tirkandi Inaburra. If this is the case the interview will take place between 9am and 4pm Tuesday to Thursday and you will be informed of the details. The assessment interviews will be conducted in an appropriate confidential setting. Permission for absence from school will need to be arranged where applicable.

Within two (2) weeks of receipt of all of the required information and the Medical Assessment Report an assessment of the application will be undertaken by staff in the Operations Team.

The assessment should consider eligibility and case management issues, particularly any associated risks. Whilst the Community Liaison Officer is responsible for ensuring the completeness of the application a Snr Youth Worker is responsible for analysing the information in the application, identifying issues of concern and following up as required so that the recommendation made to the Centre Manager is supported by pertinent information. In instances where case management issues and risks are identified the recommendation to the Centre Manager should also be supported by an initial case plan which clearly articulates the plan for managing those identified issues and risks.

The young person and / or their sponsor will be contacted within three (3) weeks and advised if the young person has been accepted into the program.

It should be noted that the placement of an applicant at Tirkandi Inaburra who is under the supervision of DoCS, must be considered by the DoCS Area Placement & Review Panel to clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties, and to further assess the suitability of the placement. The DoCS Director, Child & Families will make the final decision on the matter.

Consent Forms

Tirkandi Inaburra MUST receive the appropriate consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian of the child prior to or on admission to the Centre which consents to the following:

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Consent for the participant to participate in all aspects of the program, including educational, cultural, sporting, recreational and life skills activities Consent to the release of confidential information about the participant to other staff members and relevant agencies. The consent must be in a written format provided by Tirkandi Inaburra, and in accordance with Privacy Legislation Consent for Tirkandi Inaburra to use images of their child in any promotional activities undertaken by Tirkandi Inaburra Consent for Tirkandi Inaburra to obtain relevant data for monitoring purposes following graduation.

Emergency Exit Procedure Form

The participant’s parent or legal guardian must also complete and sign an Emergency Exit Procedure Form that specifies a respite and exit plan for the participant. This is a necessary procedure for the participant in cases where the participant chooses or is asked to leave the program. The respite / exit plan should include an option for exit, which may be implemented even if the parent / guardian cannot be contacted at the time of departure. Some examples of appropriate exit plans include the participant being placed with a nominated family members, being driven home or being picked up by parent / guardian.

Medical Considerations

The parent or legal guardian will be required to inform Tirkandi Inaburra of the child’s current Medicare number as this will be required if the child visits the Doctor during his stay at the Centre.

Medication to be administered to the participant at the Centre must be prescribed by a Doctor and will be administered as directed and appropriate by a staff member.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Definite ‘Yes’

1. 12–15 year old Aboriginal boys
2. Boys who want to commit to the program for 3-6 months
3. First offenders/ non-serious offenders
4. Boys who are ready to make the ‘shift’
5. Boys who are dropping out / have dropped out of school / have a history of suspension from school
6. Boys coming to the notice of police / involved in conferencing / making their first court appearance
7. Boys who have support from either their family, community, or sponsoring agency

Definite ‘No’

1. Non-Aboriginal boys
2. Boys over 16yrs or under 12 yrs
3. Girls
4. Boys who live outside the catchment area
5. Repeat offenders who have become institutionalised
6. Sex offenders
7. Serious violent offenders
8. Boys with an existing drug and/or alcohol dependence
9. Boys with a diagnosed mental illness
10. Boys with complex medical needs which are not manageable at the centre
(please discuss these needs with Centre staff)
11. Boys who are assessed as posing a safety risk to themselves and others