Upcoming Events

We are excited to advise that District Engagement is being undertaken across the state to roll out our Police Referral Model Process. QPS and the Referral Coordination Service will join forces and deliver a short workshop on functionality and processes. Keep an eye on our District Engagement page with our first workshop being held in July. Invites will be sent to nominated persons.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Police Referral Network New Service Providers now accepting Police Referrals. A big welcome to the below Services who have commenced being part …

view ARTICLE

Welcome!

Welcome to the Police Referral Network

New Service Providers now accepting Police Referrals.

A big welcome to the below Services who have commenced being part of the Police Referral Network.

  • The Compassionate Friends QLD

Coordinator Spotlight

DPRC questionnaire with Megan Armour from Policelink and Programs Group About me: How long have you worked in the QPS? I have worked for the …

view ARTICLE

Coordinator Spotlight

DPRC questionnaire with Megan Armour from Policelink and Programs Group


About me:

How long have you worked in the QPS?

  • I have worked for the QPS for 13 years, since 2006

When did you become a District Police Referral Coordinator?

  • I became the District Police Referral Coordinator in 2017

What do you like about being a DPRC?

  • I love being able to spread the word about the importance of Referrals as a stand-alone option or as part of a Policing response. I am a strong believe that the simple process of a referral, can make such a large difference to the lives of so many.

Making a Difference:

Thinking of the referrals that have been made in your district, can you give 1 or 2 of your best examples of where the referral has made a genuine difference? (provide de-identified examples)

  • Providing Referrals give our Client Services Officers a sense of pride and accomplishment.  Dealing with the public over the phone can be difficult and rarely do we see the outcome of the calls that we take.  Referrals provide our Client Service Officers with that immediate outcome and “feel good moment” of being able to assist and help shape the lives of people.

What policing priorities are you targeting within your District and how is Police Referrals supporting that?

  • Policelink is very different to any other area within the QPS. We receive over 2 million contacts per year, providing us with a unique and priceless opportunity to really make a difference with Police Referrals.  We can offer Police Referrals to our Callers, ensuring assistance is offered, even if Police do not attend.

What Referrals categories are most common in your District?

  • Our top 3 categories would be Victim Assist, Domestic and Family Violence (aggrieved) and Personal Counselling.

Thinking about the future:

What is your goal in Police Referrals?

  • To increase the number of Referrals offered at Policelink and have a greater impact on the Community.

Where would you like to see Police Referrals in the next 5 – 10 years?

  • Referral service providers continue to increase to support the Community with the support and services they require.

 

Sharing within the Network

Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Profile The Elder Abuse Helpline is a statewide service available to anyone who suspects, witnesses or experiences abuse of an older …

Elder Abuse Helpline
view ARTICLE

Sharing within the Network

Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Profile

The Elder Abuse Helpline is a statewide service available to anyone who suspects, witnesses or experiences abuse of an older person. All calls to the Helpline are confidential and callers are welcome to remain anonymous; we do’t record calls or keep notes. Each call explores the situation in depth and options are explored based on individual needs. The program is operated by UnitingCare and funded by the Queensland Government. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

The Helpline is older person focussed, respectful, non-judgemental and offers you the time to talk things over at your own pace.

Elder abuse is a complex issue and our role is to work with you on what the best options may be for you and your family. Sometimes, contact with a number or other agencies may be suggested.

Workers can call the helpline to discuss intervention and support strategies for their clients.

The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit also offers free community awareness sessions. Call the Elder Helpline on 1300 651 192 to book a session.

System Enhancements

We have seen the addition of new data capture fields to the Police Referral System. These are entered by QPS at the point of demographic …

view ARTICLE

System Enhancements

We have seen the addition of new data capture fields to the Police Referral System. These are entered by QPS at the point of demographic collection and will ensure that all relevant information is passed to the Service Provider and easily identifiable in the ‘Person Contact Details Section”. These include:

  • Disability
  • LGBTI
  • OMCG affiliation = Outlaw Motorcycle Crime Gang. If you receive this information on a referral is it just to advise that caution be taken where the likes of group intervention might be applicable.

Mental Health Referrals

Police Referrals are still exploring the best way forward in order to keep Mental Health as a referral category for referring officers and are interested …

view ARTICLE

Mental Health Referrals

Police Referrals are still exploring the best way forward in order to keep Mental Health as a referral category for referring officers and are interested in speaking with those services that are now commissioned to play a supporting role to vulnerable clients with Mental Health issues. Connecting clients to appropriate community services is the aim of the Police Referrals so please share this message within your networks to support this valuable referral pathway and those suffering Mental Health issues. Please share our details with any interested parties or alternatively send details to the Referral Coordination Service of potential services we could approach.

QPS Update

The 4th July saw a number of new additions to the information service providers will receive when receiving a referral through the Police Referrals System. …

Bulletin 39
view ARTICLE

QPS Update

The 4th July saw a number of new additions to the information service providers will receive when receiving a referral through the Police Referrals System.

The biggest of these changes is the removal of the Disability Support referral category.  From now on people with a disability will be referred against the presenting issue (eg. a person with a disability requiring alcohol support would be referred to an alcohol support agency).  This approach is consistent with the intent of the referral program which seeks to address underlying issues.  This is also in line with the QPS approach for officers to take the time to “See the person and not just the incident”.

In addition to this change there are now three new fields that will show under the referred persons detail on the referral.  The first is “Does the Client have a Disability”.  A yes answer will open a follow up question to identify which type of disability the referred person has from 6 options.  This option allows multiple disabilities to be selected.  This question has been introduced to inform the receiving service providers if the referred person has any disability.

The second new question appearing on Person Details page is whether the referred person “Identifies as LGBTI”.  There are three options that the referring Officer will be able to select from, Yes, No, or the referred person would prefer not to state.

The third new question is whether the referred person has any Outlaw Motor Cycle Gang affiliations.  If yes, the referring Officer will be asked to identify which group and what the affiliation is.  This question has been introduced as the result of a recent example where clients were brought together in a group counselling scenario and found that two members of the group had affiliations with rival gangs.

These questions don’t require any change or difference in your current procedures or actions, it is purely a case of keeping service providers as well informed as possible.

Until next month, thank you for all of your work in helping to build safe, caring and connected communities.

A/Senior Sergeant Chris Stafford

Police Referrals

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm Staff: Shannon Cotter Karen Wolanski Louis Dimech Georgina Rutley Phone: 1300 058 910 Email: rmcs@redbourne.com.au

Office Details
view ARTICLE

Police Referrals

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Staff:

  • Shannon Cotter
  • Karen Wolanski
  • Louis Dimech
  • Georgina Rutley

Phone: 1300 058 910

Email: rmcs@redbourne.com.au

Thanks, and Best Wishes

We would like to acknowledge and thank all those who have been managing the Police Referrals within their roles but are now moving on to …

Thank you
view ARTICLE

Thanks, and Best Wishes

We would like to acknowledge and thank all those who have been managing the Police Referrals within their roles but are now moving on to new endeavours, it is forever transient and a changing space. It is not without your ongoing support that the Police Referrals continue to make a difference in people’s lives and working in such a network based field we would love to hear from you in your new positions to continue the partnerships between QPS and our valuable Service Providers. We also ask that all Services update us with staff movement when in relation to the Police Referrals.