PhD Candidate: Sharynne Hamilton
PhD Title: Talking, Hearing, Understanding, Knowing: A qualitative exploration of the experiences of justice-involved youth undergoing assessment for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in a juvenile detention centre
This PhD has been submitted and passed
Summary
The proposed qualitative research aims to examine the views of young people and their families, non-custodial staff working in the detention centre, and youth justice service providers to explore their views and experiences of assessments for FASD or neuro-developmental disability which were undertaken as part of the Banksia Hill Detention Centre prevalence study. The thesis will be underpinned by two theoretical frameworks: ‘Wicked Problems” and Hope.
Examining and reporting on these experiences and understanding the effects of being diagnosed with FASD or a neurodevelopmental disability while engaged in the youth justice system will provide a unique insight into the challenges the young people have experienced in their lives and how they may be assisted. By gaining an in-depth understanding of the complex needs of young people in detention, the study aims to:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the complex needs of young people in detention, including participation in FASD assessment process/outcomes.
- Identify intervention points which may assist young people in detention to find alternative life pathways which enable them to fulfil their hopes.
- Identify solutions which address the ‘wickedness’ of the problems associated with youth justice systems.
- Provide a unique contribution to evolving policy in Australian youth justice systems.
Supervisors
- Professor Carol Bower: FASD Research Australia Centre of Research Excellence; Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia
- Dr Melissa O’Donnell: Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia
- Clinical Associate Professor Raewyn Mutch: Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia
- Dr Tracy Reibel: Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia
- Professor Valerie Braithwaite: Australian National University
For more information about this PhD project contact Sharynne Hamilton