Nine out of Ten Young People in Detention Found to Have Severe

MEDIA RELEASE

14 February 2018

Nine out of ten young people in detention found to have severe

neuro-disability – but there is hope for change with a radical rethink

Royal Far West (RFW) acknowledges the findings of the Banksia Hill project released today. RFW sees firsthand the issues that are reflected in the report, and strongly supports the Telethon Institute’s recommendation for formal neurodevelopmental assessment for all young people entering juvenile detention systems, together with comprehensive training for detention centre staff.

The findings of the Banksia Hill project released today are dire, but Royal Far West, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected children’s health services, is seeing the early benefits of empowering communities to tackle these issues, through their partnership with Marninwanrtikura Women’s Resource Centre (MWRC) in the Fitzroy Valley.

The presence of “neuro-disability” in juvenile detention centres was also a focus of the recent Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory. What is less visible is its prevalence across rural and remote communities, exacerbated by the lack of access to services and support, and the significant impact of inter-generational and childhood trauma.

While assessment and training is an important pre-requisite, there is also enormous opportunity to intervene as early as possibleand improve trajectories. This is a key driver for RFW – and in particular for their work with communities like the Fitzroy Valley.

RFW and MWRC in Fitzroy Crossing have been working together since 2015 to find innovative ways to increase support for children and families, and improve long term outcomes such as reduced risk of juvenile detention and youth suicide, improved education outcomes, improved family functioning, and overall health and wellbeing.

This partnership is known as ‘Marurra-U’, a Bunuba word, which means to embrace with love and care. It works in a way that is community-led and strengths-based, acknowledges the presence of intergenerational trauma, builds community capacity, and connects and enhances existing services– including improving access to specialist advice and support in community via clever use of technology.

Early evidence from the partnership shows increased awareness in the community of the impact of neuro-disability and childhood trauma, improved confidence of parents and community members in supporting children, and significant benefits for children and families from therapeutic support.

RFW Heath Director Katherine Burchfield, who has spent three years leading the RFW team working in the Fitzroy Valley, says:

“The Banksia report contributes to a growing body of evidence that highlights significant national gaps in identifying and supporting the complex needs of children in our rural and remote communities.

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“Inter-generational and early childhood trauma are significant factors driving a whole range of adverse outcomes for our Indigenous communities in particular. It is our firm belief that Australia’s Closing the Gap targets will not be met until the role of trauma is truly and deeply understood, and communities are empowered to lead a response. We hope our work with Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre and the Fitzroy Valley communities will provide insights into the kind of rethink that is required”.

RFW and MWRC recognise that change will require a long term, community-led and multi-pronged approach, and an investment in people, systems and communities that is longer than one government funding cycle.

Marninwarntikura CEO Emily Carter says:

“After seeing what supports RFW offers, we are not going to accept the status quo. Our kids deserve the best supports possible, this is what drives us to seek solutions such as those we are working with RFW to deliver into the Valley”.

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Royal Far West Health Director Katherine Burchfield is available for comment.

Please callmedia contact Deb Gibbons, 0413554834 or email

About Royal Far West (

Royal Far West, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected charities, is dedicated to helping country children thrive. We offer health and education services for country children and their families at our dedicated centre in Manly, virtually through technology, and in local communities. Our flagship program, the Paediatric Developmental Program, has helped thousands of rural and remote children and families to understand and respond to developmental challenges, intellectual disability, FASD and trauma.

Key Points:

• In 2017 RFW helped over5000 rural children and families and educators to understand and respond to developmental challenges, intellectual disability, FASD and trauma.

• A quarter of the families RFW works with identify as Aboriginal.

• 40% of RFW clients have six or more trauma risk factors, and 27% have a formal trauma-related diagnosis.

• A quarter of RFW clients are in Out of Home Care.

About Marninwarntikura

Marninwarntikura is a centre of inspiration that provides women and their families a place for positive change and leadership, embracing the cultural beliefs of the Fitzroy Valley while engaging with the opportunities of the twenty-first century, hence the partnership with RFW to explore how new technologies can provide therapeutic supports, knowledge sharing and capacity building from Manly into Fitzroy Valley Communities.

Marninwanrtikura (MWRC) with Nindilingarri Cultural Health Service, partnered with The George Institute for Global Health and The University of Sydney to conduct the Lililwan Research into the prevalence of FASD in the Fitzroy Valley. The Marulu Strategy is the Community led response including prevention, diagnosis, and ongoing supports. Web: