reports; and post-release planning from Bimberi Youth Detention Centre. Figure 10 - Breakdown of s.408, s.507 & s.879 Children and Young People Act 2008 requests for information (NB the figure for 2015-16 reflects the period to 31 2016) During the reported period, PAACT focused on OCYFS responses to the safety and wellbeing of children/young people. PAACT is monitoring and providing advocacy support for children/young people in a range of areas including those for whom there are concerns with the parenting in OoHC and children who came into OoHC through emergency action where there had been a high level of historic child protection concerns. S.408 Children and People Act 2008 – requests by the Public Advocate of the ACT for information or documents PAACT received notification of 128 instances of emergency action under s.408 of the Children and Young People Act 2008. This is an increase of emergency action in comparison with the previous reporting period. Of the 128 instances of emergency action taken on individual children/young people, 64 children were aged two years and under, whilst 51 were aged between 3 and 11 years. The number of young people aged 12 years and over removed by way of emergency action was 13. This significant increase in the removal of children has resulted in pressure on OCYFS caseworker resources and OoHC options such as foster carers, kinship carers and residential care. Of the 128 instances of emergency action 70 children/young people were removed from the family home due to domestic/family violence. PAACT attended court following emergency action for 32 children/young people due to domestic/family violence. S.74K Procedures Act 2004 – referrals – criminal proceedings dismissed or adjourned for safety and wellbeing reasons The Children’s Court Magistrate can request that the Director-General of OCYFS undertake a statement of reasons for action if, when hearing an indictment against a child or young person, the court is satisfied that the child or young person is in need of care and protection. The Children’s Court Magistrate may dismiss the indictment or adjourn the proceeding for up to 15 days until the statement of reasons is provided by the Director-General. PAACT receives a copy of the statement of reasons for action.
O PUBLIC SECTOR STANDARDS AND WORKFORCE PROFILE O.1. CULTURE AND BEHAVIOUR Refer JACS Annual Report. O.2. PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE S.11 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1994 requires the Public Advocate to establish and maintain procedures to facilitate disclosures improper conduct or wrongdoing by the office. PAACT is subject to the JACS Public Interest Disclosure Policy. The policy seeks to provide assistance to people who seek to disclose matters under the Act. Persons interested in making a disclosure in respect to the Public Advocate may do so to the Executive Director - Governance JACS or, if unavailable, through the JACS Internal Audit Committee. No public interest disclosures were made during 2015-16. O.3 WORKFORCE PROFILE did not have any Special Employment Arrangements (SEA) or Attraction and Retention Incentives (ARins) entered into during the reported period. OUR STAFFING PROFILE Recruitment and Separation Rates by Division Division Recruitment Rate Separation Rate