Turning Corners

Bravehearts’ Turning Corners provides a comprehensive and integrated response to working with young people who have engaged in or are at risk of engaging in harmful sexual behaviour. The initiative works with young people between the ages of 12 and 18, and up to the age of 21 for individuals with an intellectual impairment.

Turning Corners has two program streams:

1. Turning Corners Community Program
2. Turning Corners Restorative Justice Program

Using evidence-based assessments and interventions to help reduce the risk of young people engaging in harmful sexual behaviours, both program streams incorporate five essential components of treatment:

• community safety
• addressing harm caused
• preventing further harm
• promoting well-being, and
• education.

The Turning Corners team is made up of psychologists, social workers, counsellors, and case managers, who specialise in working with young people who have or are at risk of engaging in harmful sexual behaviours, as well as their families.

The Turning Corners Community program is supported by Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland, which partners with Queensland charities and organisations to ensure that the State’s most at-risk young people gain the outcomes they need to thrive in adult life.

Services offered through Turning Corners

Specialist Counselling

Turning Corners’ specialist counselling is tailored to meet the needs of the individual young person and, where possible, that person’s family and/or carers. This may include:

• Individual counselling
• Family counselling
• Eco-systemic interventions (involving other support systems i.e. schools, youth justice, etc.)
• Group work (optional)
• Environmental risk assessments
• Assessments for external agencies (including court reports and assessments)

Child and Family Advocacy

Child and Family Advocates provide assistance to Turning Corners clients across both the Community and Restorative Justice program streams. Turning Corners Child and Family Advocates:

• Provide assertive case management support to children, young people and families who have been referred to Turning Corners.
• Collaborate with government and non-government service providers to help clients and families navigate the service system and create individualised wraparound supports.
• Advocate on behalf of and alongside children, young people and families.
• Oversee the implementation of individual care plans and facilitate the Multi-Disciplinary Team Case Review and Case Tracking processes.

Turning Corners Restorative Justice Program

Turning Corners Restorative Justice program supports young people aged between 10 and 17 years at the time of engaging in harmful sexual behaviour and their families. In addition to supporting the young people engaging in harmful sexual behaviours, our specialist clinicians and advocates support the children and young people who have been harmed by the behaviours, as well as their families or significant others.

Accessing Turning Corners

Accessing Turning Corners Community Program

The Turning Corners Community program stream welcomes referrals from parents/carers, external support agencies (government and non-government), GPs, Schools or self-referrals by a young person. Referral forms can be downloaded below, or alternatively, we can fax or email one to you upon request by phoning 1800 272 831.

Referrals can be made over the phone by contacting our central Information and Support Line on 1800 272 831 (freecall). Our trained staff are available between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday to discuss eligibility and the referral process. Alternatively, you may email our Information and Support Team via intake@bravehearts.org.au.

• Turning Corners Agency Referral Form
• Turning Corners Self Referral Form (including referrals from parent/carers)

Accessing Turning Corners Restorative Justice Program

Turning Corners Restorative Justice referrals are received directly from Youth Justice Queensland and will not be accepted from any other source.

Currently, the Turning Corners Restorative Justice program is not accepting referrals.

More Information?

If you have any inquiries about Turning Corners, please contact us on the Bravehearts Information and Support Line 1800 272 831.