In October 2020, the Department of Communities Tasmania, Children, Youth and Families undertook an Investigative Review (PDF, 711KB) in response to allegations for the safety and wellbeing of young people participating in the Many Colours 1 Direction Therapeutic Residential Placement Program.

The Investigative Review made four recommendations. One of the recommendations was that the former Minister for Human Services (now Minister for Children and Youth) establish an Expert Panel.

In January 2021, the Expert Panel was established and comprises of individuals who have extensive experience working with children, young people and their families. Collectively, the Panel has expertise in key areas relating to child and adolescent development, psychology research, child rights, out of home care statutory service provision, education, trauma and abuse. An Independent Chair was appointed to support the Expert Panel.

For more information, please refer to the Expert Panel’s Terms of Reference (PDF, 334KB) for appointments of Panel members and the Independent Chair.

On 27 July 2021, the Expert Panel provided their Final Report to the Minister for Children and Youth. The report outlines four recommendations to the Tasmanian Government. For more information, please refer to the Expert Panel’s Final Report (PDF, 263KB).

On 2 December 2021, the Tasmanian Government released an Implementation Plan which responds to the recommendations of the Expert Panel, and provides an update on progress against that Plan since July 2021 when their recommendations were released. The Plan details the steps we are taking to better support children and young people with highly complex needs and to develop services and programs for them here in Tasmania. For more information, please refer to the Implementation and Progress Report (PDF, 312KB).

If you would like to share or your views or have input into to the process you can contact us here: cyf.liaison@communities.tas.gov.au