Aimed at preventing students from falling into a life of crime, and located in Ipswich, the school is one of several new early intervention measures the Government is delivering in the hopes of preventing the next generation of serious repeat offenders.
Students at the ‘Futures Academy’ will “receive tailored learning with practical life skills in a structured and supportive environment to help get them back on track and re-engage them in education and the community”, according to a government statement.
Y-Care, operating as Y Schools Queensland will deliver the school, following an extensive tender process, and is expected to begin enrolling students later this year ahead of the 2027 school year, subject to national accreditation approvals.
The Crisafulli Government said Crime Prevention Schools will also be established in Rockhampton and Townsville, operating alongside the successful Men of Business Academy on the Gold Coast.
The Government has invested $50 million over five years to deliver four new or expanded Crime Prevention Schools.
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the schools are critical in preventing the next generation of youth offenders and turning the tide on Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.
“We know one of the best ways to reduce crime, is to intervene early before young people go down a life of crime,” Gerber said.
“If we can keep kids in school, getting an education and the support they need to make positive choices, we will prevent the next generation from falling into a cycle of crime.”
The schools will give at-risk youth the education, life skills, and mentoring they need in a structured, supportive environment so they can build a positive future, Gerber said.
“While the previous Labor government spent a decade neglecting victims and watching youth crime spiral, the Crisafulli Government is delivering real solutions to stop crime before it starts.”
Y Schools CEO Damien Foley said the Futures Academy will deliver a tailored education model for young people who need a different kind of school environment to be successful.
“Futures Academy, by Y Schools Queensland, is about early intervention and creating the right conditions for young people to re-engage with education,” Sambrook said.
Y Schools, he said, offers a high-support model, that works collaboratively with family and community to create sustainable change.
“Futures Academy will combine learning, wellbeing, family support, cultural understanding, youth work, counselling and case management, with the identification of an individual post school pathway into training, employment or further education.”
Back in 2024, the Queensland Government promised its fast-tracked tough on crime policy would not forget rehabilitation, and earmarked $80 million for the six crime prevention and youth justice schools.
The schools and other programs were promised to offset the strain on youth detention after the government passed its “adult crime, adult time” laws.
