Q&A Easy Read
Now Closed
This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 9 November 2020 to 31 January 2021. Below is a record of the consultation.
Youth Treatment Orders Draft Model of Care for Phase 1 of Youth Treatment Orders
Answers to questions we get asked a lot
Easy Read version
Download the Q&A Easy Read version on a PDF printable version
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SA Health wrote this Easy Read. When you see the word ‘we’, it means SA Health.
We have written this information in an easy to read way.
We have written some words in bold. We explain what these words mean. There is a list of these words at the bottom of this page.
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What is this consultation about?
This consultation is about some new laws in South Australia.
The new laws will change how some children who are dependent on drugs get help.
If you are dependent on drugs, you:
- keep using them even though you know they can hurt you
- can’t control how you use them.
The government is planning a new program based on these laws.
We call it the Youth Treatment Orders program.
A Youth Treatment Order is a way to:
- find out if a child is dependent on drugs
- treat a child who is dependent on drugs.
When we treat someone, we give them help to stop being dependent on drugs.
They get the support they need to stop using drugs.
We call this treatment.
This page is about how the Youth Treatment Orders program will work at the Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre.
The Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre is where the Youth Court can make children live for a period of time when they break the law.
We often get asked the same questions by different people about the Model of Care.
We answer some of those questions on this page.
Questions and answers
What is a Model of Care?
A Model of Care explains how the Youth Treatment Orders program will work.
This Model of Care:
- is based on the best ways to treat children who are dependent on drugs
- makes sure everyone does what is best for the child.
What are Youth Treatment Orders?
There are 2 types of Youth Treatment Orders:
- Assessment Orders
- Treatment Orders.
What is an Assessment Order?
The Youth Court makes an Assessment Order when they need to know if a child is dependent on drugs.
When a child has an assessment, they are checked to find out if they are dependent on drugs.
An Assessment Order tells us:
- if a child is dependent on drugs
- how we can help them.
What is a Treatment Order?
The Youth Court makes a Treatment Order to help a child get treatment for their drug dependence.
A child must do what the Treatment Order says.
A Treatment Order tells us:
- what types of treatment will help them
- who will treat them
- how long they need to have treatment.
How long will a Youth Treatment Order last?
A Youth Treatment Order can only last for up to 12 months.
How old will children on Youth Treatment Orders be?
Children aged 10 to 18 years old who live in Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre can be part of the Youth Treatment Orders Program.
Can children choose to take part in the Youth Treatment Orders program?
No, the Youth Court will decide if the child:
- must take part in the Youth Treatment Orders program
- needs an Assessment Order
- needs a Treatment Order.
Where is the Youth Treatment Order program used?
The Youth Treatment Order program is only used at the Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre.
Will children on a Youth Treatment Order have to stay in the Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre longer?
No. Assessment and Treatment Orders end when a child is released from the Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre.
Can children keep getting treatment when they leave the Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre?
Yes, but they don’t have to if they don’t want to.
The Youth Treatment Orders staff will:
- talk to a child who has an Order and is leaving the Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre
- organise treatment for any child who still wants help for their drug dependence after they leave.
What if a child doesn’t believe they are dependent on drugs?
If a child doesn’t agree with an Assessment Order, they can challenge it with help from a lawyer.
A lawyer is someone who:
- understands what the law says
- will make sure everyone does what is best for the child.
The Legal Services Commission or the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement will give the child a lawyer.
There is no cost for using the lawyer.
Can anyone find out if a child is getting treatment?
No, we keep any information about children who are getting treatment private.
This is to protect children.
We only share their information with:
- their parent or guardian when it is safe
- people who work for the Youth Treatment Orders program.
A Youth Treatment Order will not show up on a child’s record.
A Youth Treatment Order is designed to help people.
It is not a punishment.
How will we protect the rights of children?
Rights are rules about how everybody should be treated fairly.
We have a Statement of Rights that explains the rights of children involved in the Youth Treatment Orders program.
The Statement of Rights makes sure that all children are treated fairly, including children:
- from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- from different countries
- who don’t speak English
- with mental health problems
- with disability.
How do we know the Youth Treatment Orders program will help children?
The most important part of the Youth Treatment Orders program is to do what’s best for children.
The Youth Treatment Orders program will:
- protect the rights of children
- think about the different needs of each child
- work with the other people and services in the child’s life
- encourage children to continue treatment if they want it.
Word list
Assessment
When a child has an assessment, they are checked to find out if they are dependent on drugs.
Dependent
If you are dependent on drugs, you:
- keep using them even though you know they can hurt you
- can’t control how you use them.
Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre
The Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre is where the Youth Court can make children live for a period of time when they break the law.
Lawyer
A lawyer is someone who:
- understands what the law says
- will make sure everyone does what is best for the child.
Treat
When we treat someone, we give them help to stop being dependent on drugs.
They get the support they need to stop using drugs.
We call this treatment.
Youth Treatment Orders
A Youth Treatment Order is a way to:
- find out if a child is dependent on drugs
- treat a child who is dependent on drugs.
Contact us
(08) 7425 5099
Consultation has concluded
