And started talking about human rights and systemic racism

“Anyway, yesterday there was a fight on the basketball courts at lunchtime, and a boy who was walking by came to tell me he saw River pull a knife on another kid. By the time we got there the fight had broken up, and River emptied his pockets and we couldn’t find a knife. What he did have in his pocket was a green seashell, which is kinda strange.”

12/3/20
You look at River’s enrolment records. The information states that River is 15 years old, and that he lives with his mother Melita Hargood, who is 37 years old. His father, Sasha Hargood, does not live with River and his mother, and his address is listed as ‘unknown.’ River’s mother has ticked the box to identify that River identifies as Murri (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander). They live in the local high rise housing estate.

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city.” When you ask him if he has any brothers or sisters, he starts chewing his lip and says, “No.” He then asks if he can leave.

After the boys leave, Jock comes back to your office. “Look,” he says. “I don’t really like social workers, but you’ve always been pretty cool with us. I don’t know why… but there’s something about River. I don’t know why he is hanging out with us. He seems too...nice. Anyway, we really

like him, but he seems kinda sad all the time. Maybe you can talk to him.” “You thank Jock” you said, and he goes back to class.

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16/3/20
The Principal, Mrs Billings, comes to your office. “Well, they’re up to it again,” she says. “Who?” you ask. “Billy and Jock and their followers,” she says. “The police came by to say they saw them throwing eggs and sticks at some other kids on the way to school. The cops said that there was a kid they hadn’t seen before, and he started talking about human rights and systemic racism. It’s that new kid, River Smythe. The cops said he was actually really polite, but that he better watch it hanging around with those kids.” She asks, “Can you talk to him separately? And then see Jock and Billy? You know, I really like those kids, but they are going to end up in the slammer if they don’t channel their energy someplace a bit more useful.”

“River, I’m not sure that you’re fine. It sounds like you’ve got a lot going on. I’m wondering if you wanted to talk a bit more about any of what you’ve just told me.”

“Nah,” River says. “There’s no point. But thanks for trying,” he says as he walks out the door. He pauses. “Ya know, school used to be a great place. I was somebody. They thought I was talented. But now, it’s a terrible place. It was too dangerous being a nobody, so now with Jock and Billy, I can be somebody you don’t mess with. That’s what my life has come to, I guess.” You call after him, but he runs down the corridor.

He said he’s worried about her.” He continues, “I tried to ring the number back but it says it’s disconnected. We don’t know how to reach the family. I’m wondering what you can do to try and help them? They’re great people. It was just so tragic what happened...”

Just as you start thinking about confidentiality and duty of care issues, River walks into your office. You put Mr Beazley on hold, and say to River, “River, you won’t believe this, but I’ve got Mr Beazley from Queensland on the phone. Would you like to talk to him?”

law school, and lost her job at the Legal Centre because she consistently couldn’t get to work on time. River tried to hold everything together. They had a lot of support from their church, and things started to look like they were getting better. But then his mum met a guy on an online dating site, and before we knew it they left to go and live with him. The community was devastated to lose them – and even after all of it, everyone really looked up to his mum because she was such a great advocate and support for families. And River – what a great, gentle kid.”

You agree that you will arrange a meeting with River and his mother.

She continues, “But...it’s all so hard. I have to take three buses to my “job” - you know,” she says scornfully, “my ‘work for the dole” thing. There’s no supermarkets that are cheap near the housing estate, so we spend a fortune on food. I was falling into a bit of a heap...again...but things are going to be better, I can tell you. Irving is trying to be like a father to River, and River is treating him really badly. If River could just try to see Irving’s point of view, maybe we could be… a… a… family. Irving’s just trying to protect River because he was abused as a child at a church. And he thinks that River will get bullied if he doesn’t play football. He had a lot of problems himself as a kid, and he just wants to try to help River. Can you please talk to River and get him to stay away from those kids?”

24/2/20
Just after you get off the phone with River’s mother Melita, the police ring. River, Jock and Billy have been arrested for holding up a convenience store. The police say that they appear to be substance-affected. You ring Melita to let her know. She begins to cry and asks if you can meet her at the police station.

River looks at you, “And this social worker was trying to help. I’m sorry,” he says to you. “I should’ve been more honest. I felt all alone and on my own at home, with Mum having to do that stupid work-for-the dole job. Mum,” he says passionately, “You were studying to be a LAWYER and they’ve got you doing cleaning. It’s bullshit!!

“And Irving talking about footy all the time, and telling me to “keep my chin up and move on from the past. He found me crying once and told me “Suck it up princess.” And on the housing estate, if you’re Aboriginal they think you’re some sort of criminal. I was getting harassed and beat up until Jock and Billy took me under their wing. And they wanted me to try drinking and drugs. And ya know what – they were right! It makes you feel better, and forget about...stuff.”

The Aborginal Youth Justice Worker comes in to talk to River and his mother. You give them space

to talk amongst themselves, and say to River and Melita, “I’m going to keep checking in, ok? I