For more than 25 years, CREATE has been the national leader in youth participation and lived experience governance - creating safe, supported spaces for young people with a care experience to share their expertise and influence decisions that shape their lives.
We know that the best way to improve the care system is to listen to the people who know it best - the young people who’ve lived it. When their insights are taken seriously, services get safer, policies get smarter, and systems work better for everyone.
CREATE is uniquely placed to help governments, organisations and services embed authentic youth voice into their work. We design and run youth advisory and oversight groups that bring together diverse young people with care experience to provide structured, evidence-informed advice on programs, policies and reform.
“The Young Consultants were incredible. The session gave us a lot to reflect on, especially around how we show up in relationships every day. We’re really grateful to CREATE for creating the space - and to the young people for sharing with such honesty and strength. It’s given us even more clarity and conviction in the direction we’re heading ...”- Professional
CREATE offers a fee-for-service model for organisations wanting to engage young people in advisory roles in a way that is safe, meaningful and impactful.
Establish and coordinate youth advisory or oversight groups.
Develop Terms of Reference, manage Expressions of Interest, and ensure representation across diverse identities, cultures and regions.
Provide secretariat support - from agenda development and facilitation to youth-friendly communiqués and feedback loops.
Build young people’s confidence and advocacy skills through Speak Up training, pre-briefs and debriefs, and wellbeing support.
Evaluate the group’s impact to ensure the voices of young people lead to measurable change.
By partnering with CREATE, you’ll be supported by the organisation that has pioneered youth advisory practice in the care sector - trusted by governments, informed by research, and powered by young people’s lived experience.
“I’ve seen Ministers change their minds from the advice young people have given.” - Liana Buchanan, former Commissioner for Children and Young People
If you’re interested in creating an advisory group or embedding lived experience governance in your organisation, contact CREATEat create@create.org.au
“Children’s voices have often been treated as less important - when they’re actually the most important thing.”- Young Consultant
Victoria’s Youth Expert Advisory Group (YEAG) ensures young, lived experience experts inform the service design, implementation, and evaluation of the Better Futures and Home Stretch initiatives. YEAG has also hosted Forums to increase the capacity and understanding of professionals who are supporting young people with the transition to independence.
Funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria and facilitated by CREATE in partnership with Brotherhood of St Laurence, YEAG is dedicated to improving transition from care services and supports for young people across Victoria.
Together with the Queensland Government, CREATE established the first Ministerial Youth Advisory Group, SHIFT on residential care in Queensland. SHIFT provides advice directly to the Minister for Child Safety about what needs to change in the residential care system in Queensland.
Queensland’s Extended Post Care Support (EPCS) Oversight Group reviews the implementation of the EPCS program which provides practical support for young Queenslanders transitioning from care to independence. The EPCS Oversight Group is led by the University of Queensland and Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services, in partnership with CREATE Foundation.
