In this issue

Calling all good news stories!!

A good news story can include good content/information provided in a referral by QPS that results in a successful Police Referrals outcome.

A good news story can be connecting a client/s into appropriate supports in their time of need.

A good news story can be a client thanking you for touching base with them and arming them with your information should they need to call on you in the future.

They come in many forms and we are calling on our Service Provider network to please share any good news stories with us!

These stories are vital in sharing with QPS, our referring officers, to encourage them to continue to offer referrals and put clients in touch with our specialist Service Provider network.

Service Provider Spotlight

Pine Rivers Community Legal Service

The Pine Rivers Community Legal Service (PRCLS) is a generalist community legal service which has provided free legal advice, information, referrals, and community legal education for those experiencing disadvantage in accessing the legal system in the Moreton Bay and the northern suburbs of Greater Brisbane for over 33 years.

The service began in 1983 as the Petrie Legal Service and was first funded in 2006. In 1987 PRCLS was auspiced by the newly formed Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Association Inc. which is now Encircle Ltd.

Legal advice is provided face to face, or over the telephone, during office hours Monday to Friday by appointment through our reception.

Pine Rivers Community Legal Service also provides a ‘self-representation’ service which assists disadvantaged people who are self-representing in the family law or domestic and family law system, to prepare their court documents. The service also provides the Duty Lawyer Services at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court for Domestic and Family Violence matters and Child Protection matters.

Pine Rivers Community Legal Service

Phone: 3881 3500

Address: 4A/481 Gympie Road, Strathpine, Queensland

Email: prcls@encircle.org.au

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Pineriverscommunitylegalservice

Website: https://encircle.org.au/legal-services/

Below is some information relating to the Turning Corners program.

Bravehearts Turning Corners Program is an initiative that provides comprehensive and integrated response to working with young people aged between 12-17 and up to 21 for individuals with an intellectual impairment, who have engaged, or are at risk of engaging, in harmful sexual behaviour.

The Turning Corners Program is funded to provide free counselling and advocacy support to youth and their families throughout Queensland. The service is delivered face to face at our Arundel and Spring Hill offices, or via Bravehearts E-Health platform outside of those areas.

The program has a strong focus on early intervention and improved outcomes for the young person, their family, and the community at large. Turning Corners draws on the young person’s strengths and resources within their community by providing outreach, at home risk assessments, safety planning for families, stakeholder collaboration as well as individualised therapeutic intervention.

Our specialised team aim offer parent support groups and community awareness sessions across Queensland as well as deliver tailored training to professionals within the sector.

Turning Corners welcomes referrals from parents, external support agencies, and also self-referrals from young people. Referral forms can be downloaded from Bravehearts’ website bravehearts.org.au, or alternatively, can be made over the phone by contacting our Information and Support Line on 1800 272 831 (freecall).

We say thank you and welcome to the Police Referrals Network!

• Crossing Paths Carers Support Program – Wesley Mission – Gold Coast District
• Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service – Moreton Bay District
• Pine Rivers Community Legal Service – Moreton Bay District
• Youth Advocacy Centre – Brisbane North District

QPS Corner

Well, haven’t the last 2 months flown by, how are we in May already?

Since my last Bulletin piece, I have had the privilege of meeting with some service providers across all support areas with the intention of onboarding them into our Police Referrals network. This has been an enlightening process in opening my eyes to the amount of wonderful service providers we have available to at risk, disadvantaged and vulnerable people here in Queensland.

Over the coming months I welcome the opportunity to meet with some of you, our existing service providers within our Police Referrals network to enhance our relationships, understand the support you provide to our referred clients and identify any opportunities for improvement. Should you/your service wish to meet please contact the team at Redbourne via rmcs@redbourne.com.au or contact the QPS Police Referrals team via Police.Referrals@police.qld.gov.au.

Good News stories. Now I know you are all very busy providing support to our referred clients and your own clients, but I am seeking your assistance with de-identified Good News stories. These Good News stories significantly assist with promoting the successes of Police Referrals both internally within QPS and externally as required. If you are able to provide de-identified Good News stories please email them to the QPS Police Referrals team at Police.Referrals@police.qld.gov.au.

I look forward to the next few months in this role and hopefully hearing from you.

Until next month, thank you for all your work in helping to build safe, caring and connected communities, but most importantly, stay safe and well.

Project Coordinator Amanda Hagaman