Suspend rate is cause for concern

CHILD experts have warned vulnerable kids targeted for school suspensions are more likely to be swept up in Queensland’s youth crime epidemic, pushing for more to be done to address the alarming issue.

Queensland’s Family and Child Commissioner Luke Twyford said evidence showed more than half of all kids in the youth justice system were disengaged from education, and a high-rate suspensions and exclusions could be adding to the problem.

It comes after News Corp revealed vulnerable kids — including First Nations children, kids with a disability and those in care — are eight times more likely to be suspended or excluded from school than their peers.

“A young person’s disengagement from education is a known risk factor and indicator of their future contact with the youth justice system,” he said.

“Using suspension and expulsions does not work for children whose home environment is causing their behaviour.

“Instead we need greater investment in specialised education outside of the mainstream system, such as Flexischools, and greater focus on trauma-informed responses in schools.”

Mr Twyford said he was aware the education department was taking action on the “highly-concerning statstics”.

“Whilst there are positive improvements in the use of SDAs for young children including those in Prep, I remain concerned that more needs to be done for high-school teenagers, particularly those in vulnerable cohorts,” he said.

“Keeping children engaged in education or employment is the best way to give them hope for the future and keep them out of crime.”

Education Minister Grace Grace said it was “very concerning” that some cohorts were over-represented in student disciplinary absences.

She said she had asked the department to review the issue last year, and preliminary data had indicated a decline in overall absences.