Supporting young people affected by fire misuse

Fire misuse among children and adolescents can cause serious harm to individuals, families and communities. It may also occur alongside conduct problems, emotional dysregulation and other behavioural difficulties.

There is still limited evidence about why young people engage in fire misuse, how to assess the risk of repeated behaviour and which interventions are most effective. This research aims to address these gaps and translate the findings into practical support.

Fire misuse can develop through different pathways. For some young people, it may occur alongside broader conduct-related difficulties. For others, it may be linked to different combinations of psychological, emotional, family, peer and environmental factors.

The research examines these different pathways to support:

• earlier identification of risk

• more accurate risk formulation

• more targeted intervention

• practical support for young people and families.

The programme also aims to improve interventions for children and adolescents with conduct-related difficulties more broadly. This includes developing approaches that are evidence-based, practical to deliver, engaging for young people and suitable for community and justice settings.

Developmental pathways and fire misuse

The research examines the psychological and environmental factors associated with fire misuse. This includes Limited Prosocial Emotions, such as reduced empathy, guilt and concern for others, and how these characteristics may relate to more persistent conduct-related difficulties.

Assessment and risk evaluation

The research evaluates the Fire-Related Assessment Tool for Youth (FRAT-Y) in Australian settings. It examines the tool’s reliability, validity and usefulness in practice.

One research question is whether including information about Limited Prosocial Emotions improves the tool’s ability to identify young people who may be at increased risk of repeated fire misuse or broader conduct problems.

Intervention development and innovation

The research includes the development and evaluation of interventions for conduct problems and fire misuse. These include cognitive behavioural approaches and parent management training, tailored to individual risk profiles.

Artificial intelligence and virtual reality are also being explored as ways to improve engagement, develop skills and simulate real-world decision-making.

Co-design and cultural responsiveness

The research is co-designed with young people, families, clinicians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This helps ensure that interventions are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive and grounded in lived experience.

Youth justice and conduct disorder

The programme also examines conduct disorder and related behavioural difficulties among young people involved in the youth justice system. This includes interventions addressing aggression, rule-breaking, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation, with the aim of reducing institutional misconduct and reoffending. 

This research aims to improve how complex behavioural difficulties are understood and addressed. Through collaboration with Fire and Rescue NSW and other health, justice and community organisations, it seeks to support earlier identification, more accurate assessment, more effective intervention and safer communities.