CREATE’s monthly Advocacy Wrap Ups provide regular updates on our latest advocacy for improving the lives of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience.
Our Wrap Ups include:
- CREATE’s latest submissions on issues including youth justice, residential care, housing and more.
- Media releases and statements about current issues affecting children and young people in care.
- Relevant news and research in the sector so you can catch up on what has happened over the last month.
- A monthly advocacy focus. This month it’s our new advocacy priorities.
- Consultation opportunities for children and young people to ensure that their lived experiences and voices are heard in decision-making about the out-of-home care system in Australia.
February advocacy focus
CREATE’s new advocacy priorities
After consultation through our Pulse Survey in 2024, CREATE has updated our advocacy priorities to ensure they reflect what children and young people have told us is important to them.
CREATE’s 10 advocacy priorities guide us on the issues we speak to decision-makers about, write submissions for, undertake consultations on, comment in the media and more.
CREATE updates
World Care Day on 21 February was widely celebrated and many CREATE Young Consultants shared their journeys in care and how they #SnapThatStigma. You can read their stories here.
CREATE also hosted a Panel event with members of our National Experience to Action Board (Youth) where they shared how their voices have changed the care system. Watch the recording below.
CREATE has a new Strategic Plan. Download it here.
Our CEO spoke at the Senate Select Committee on measuring outcomes for First Nations Communities. Read CREATE’s Submission here.
Our CEO, Imogen Edeson pictured at the Senate Committee Hearing.
News
New trial project aims to reduce numbers in out-of-home care. Read more here.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme has been announced. Read about the theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy” here.
Reject calls for a Royal Commission. Sign the petition by SNAICC here.
Latest research and reports
The Human Rights Watch World Report 2025 highlights key human rights concerns for youth justice and First Nations peoples. Read the report here.
A report by the Healing Foundation has found that only 6% of the Bringing Them Home report recommendations have been clearly implemented. Read more here.
Opportunities
Entries are open till 5 May for the International Letter Writing Competition. Enter here.
News
Tiny homes campus in Adelaide to help young people with their transition from care to independence. Alongside our Young Consultants, including Emmarita Brown (Yankirri Arts), CREATE had the privilege of contributing to the design process for an innovative housing initiative by Junction Australia, in partnership with the SA Government. Read more here.
CREATE Foundation was a signatory to the Joint Statement on the draft Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill 2024. Read the Statement here.
Latest research and reports
The Guardian for Children and Young People has released a Report on the new ROGS. Read it here.
News
Ahead of the WA election, three CREATE Young Consultants shared their priorities and concerns for the future. Cheyenne, Abby and Cody spoke to housing pressures, cost-of-living, accessibility and more, hoping that all sides of government will hear the issues most impacting young Western Australians and make change.
You can read what they had to say here.
News
Career and education information for people with a care experience. In 2024, CREATE Foundation partnered with a group of social work students at ACU Strathfield on an exciting project about further education and career pathways.
In close collaboration with our NSW Young Consultants, the students at ACU developed resources to help young people with a care experience identify careers for themselves, including:
- A free quiz to match personality type to possible careers
- A series of easy-to-understand videos discussing the various pathways to uni, TAFE and apprenticeships.
Check the resources out here.
Opportunities
Applications are open for the 2026 NSW Youth Advisory Council. Apply here.
News
CREATE has joined the Victorian Care allowance campaign asking the Government to increase the care allowance to match other states. Show your support and sign the petition here.
Since 2013, the CREATE Positive Impact Award has been part of the Victorian Protecting Children Awards, celebrating the superheroes who go above and beyond for young people. Make a nomination here.
News
New song by Northern Territory children and young people in care. In November 2024, CREATE brought together an incredible group of young people with a care experience for a special Songwriting Workshop led by local rapper Riley P. Listen to what they made here.
CREATE Young Consultants, Alicia, Timothy and Tyrone sat down to talk about what makes a good carer. Watch the video here.
In the Northern Territory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s rights to be connected to their family, culture, community and country are at risk with proposed amendments to the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (NT) (CaPCA). Read more here.
Youth justice systems increasingly punitive and cruel, inquiry hears. Read more here.
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Thank you for reading our Advocacy Wrap Up. To provide feedback, please email marketing@create.org.au
