Queensland’s second Social Benefit Bond to reduce Youth reoffending

The Palaszczuk Government is rolling out new strategies to reduce reoffending rates with the release of its second social impact investment initiative.

Signing the agreement with Life Without Barriers, Treasurer Curtis Pitt said he was very pleased to be associated with an organisation that delivers intervention services aimed at reducing the risk of young people being held on remand.

“The young people who will participate in this program are high risk youth aged 10-16 years old with ‘high to very high’ risk of reoffending,” Mr Pitt said.

“Clearly we need to reduce rates of recidivism and we need to look at new strategies to come at this challenge from different angles.

“This Social Benefit Bond provides the opportunity to address re-offending rates among young offenders where early intervention can reduce both severity and duration of future offending behaviour.

“Up to 600 young people over five years will be referred to the program by Youth Justice and could be rolled out in other locations around Queensland if it proves effective.

“Social Benefit Bonds are part of a wider shift in the way social services can be funded and delivered, partnering with the private sector to fund interventions that will demonstrably make a difference for the community.”

Life Without Barriers chief executive Claire Robbs said it was an opportunity to partner with people to change lives for the better.

“Life Without Barriers is taking the lead to reduce recidivism, by working holistically with families to change antisocial behaviours, reduce reoffending rates and to keep young people out of detention,” she said.

“Through positive engagement with the young people and their families, multi-systemic therapy employs creative methodology to change anti-social behaviour from within the young person’s social or family environment.

“This will deliver improved family functioning and parenting skills, higher rates of school participation and reduced substance abuse.”

NAB, acting as financial intermediary, will now move to market the bond to potential investors to secure capital.

The service is expected to commence later this year in two locations - one in North Brisbane and one in South Brisbane.

The Palaszczuk Government is continuing to negotiate with the proponent for the third and final SBB for the Pilot Program, which addresses homelessness.

For further information on Social Benefit Bonds www.treasury.qld.gov.au/sbb