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 ACT raising the age
- 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.
Please share our Wrap Ups far and wide! If you have any feedback, email marketing@create.org.au
June advocacy focus
ACT raises the age
The ACT made history on 1 July as the first Australian jurisdiction to raise the age to 14, aligning with medical and legal expert advice and reflecting international standards for children’s rights.
Raising the age of criminal responsibility, alongside increased investment in programs focused on prevention, diversion, therapeutic support, and rehabilitation is critical for safeguarding the rights, wellbeing, and development of young children. CREATE is proud to be one of a number of advocates who pushed for this and applauds the ACT for showing the way forward for other Australian states and territories.
CREATE updates
CREATE’s National Experience to Action Board (Youth), made up of representatives from each State and Territory, have begun developing an approach to work with the Commonwealth Government and the first action sent Imogen and Jen to Canberra to meet with Minister Plibersek and the head of the Department of Social Services – who both agreed they would love to meet with the Board as part of their forward work. See the photo from their visit.
As part of the Commonwealth Government’s Youth Homelessness Rapid Review, CREATE shared the insights of our members who have experienced homelessness. This process will present opportunities for national system reform and response to youth homelessness throughout Australia. More to come.
Young people’s thoughts on the social media ban. Victorians with a care experience came together at a CREATE Youth Advisory Group to discuss Australia’s proposed social media ban. They discussed the dangers social media presents as well as the benefits young people gain from using social media, particularly those living in out-of-home care. Read what they said here.
News
NSW’s Budget announcement marks a significant milestone in the reform of the state’s child protection system. CREATE Foundation welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to the largest investment in child protection and out-of-home care in the state’s history.
CREATE Foundation Board Member, Emily Hikaiti and Young Consultant, Lachlan (pictured) were at Parliament House to witness this historic funding boost—an investment that will directly impact the lives of children and young people growing up in NSW’s out-of-home care system. CREATE Foundation National Advocacy Director, Jen Hyatt attended the NCOSS event with Minister Washington, Treasurer and Opposition Treasurer to discuss the impacts of the budget announcement.
This moment represents meaningful progress, driven in large part by the voices of young people who have courageously shared their lived experiences in care. We commend the children and young people—including CREATE’s Young Consultants—who have spoken up and driven change by sharing their stories with Minister Washington at the NSW Roundtable, with the media, and through the Advocate’s Special Inquiry.
To all the young advocates: thank you. Your voices are powerful, and the impact of speaking up about your experiences will be felt by many throughout NSW.
CREATE in NSW has its Ministerial Roundtable with Minister Washington on 22 July and we are looking forward to meeting with the Minister to continue discussing positive investment and reform for the out-of-home care system.
CREATE updates
In honour of Disability Pride Month, we compiled insights from a disability inclusion-focused Youth Advisory Group we held last year in NSW. Read young people’s tips for disability inclusion:
“Be respectful and kind.”
“Take an interest in what I am interested in.”
“Inclusion looks like friendly, caring, enthusiastic – make me feel good and happy.”
“Including everyone, not just the ones you want to or like.”
“Less judgement.”
“Ask me more questions and ask us how we can get involved.”
CREATE updates
Quality recordkeeping matters. Listen here to what CREATE Young Consultant’s, Tobias and Eshal had to say about their experience of accessing their records and how implementing ‘The Charter’ can help to make a difference in the lives of people with a care-experience.
News
The Yoorrook Justice Commission’s final report was delivered formally to government following four years of truth-telling, finding genocide and state sanctioned violence, and shining a light on the pathway to healing and change.
Read more
The Victorian CREATE Foundation participated in stretches of the Walk for Truth, and invited children and young people in care to join in this historic occasion. This builds on the work that CREATE has undertaken over years listening and advocating for self-determination, truth and treaty throughout Australia, and in Victoria.
This included walking and yarning alongside children, carers, First Nations leaders and community. Victoria is the first jurisdiction in Australia to undertake a full truth-telling process. The Commission included interrogation of the legislation that allowed children to be forcibly removed from their families and their culture; the foundations of the current day child protection systems.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have been courageous advocates for change to child protection systems in Victoria and throughout Australia. We commend the resilience and strength of Young Consultants who share what culture and community means to them, and why child protection and out-of-home care systems need to change.
CREATE Foundation will continue to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led and designed approaches to meet the needs of First Nations children and young people, and to reduce the disproportionate number of First Nations children in statutory care. CREATE will advocate and support Aboriginal-led commissioning to put resources and decision-making power in the hands of First Nations communities, including proportionate investment in the community-controlled sector to enable culturally-informed services, based on community need.
CREATE recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s right to connection to Country, culture, lore, spiritual systems, cultural protocols and practices, language, kin, clan and community as a major protective factor that can heal families, embody identity, reclaim pride and grow kids strong. CREATE also supports data sovereignty for First Nations communities and Aboriginal-led oversight of child protection systems, including dedicated Commissioners for Aboriginal Children and Young People in all jurisdictions, with a full mandate to oversee all systems impacting on the lives of First Nations children and young people.
The findings of Yoorrook represent the pathway forward – with the next steps Treaty negotiations between the First Nations Assembly and the Victorian Government. Find out more here.
Opportunities
RMIT University is hosting an Open Day Event —designed specifically for care-experienced young people who are curious about university or TAFE study. Register to attend the Open Day at Bundoora or City campus.
CREATE updates
Young people influence child safety and residential care design. CREATE recently submitted reports to the Department outlining all the things we’ve heard directly from children and young people on child-friendly complaints processes, and their experiences of everyday living in residential care.
These reports have been accepted by the Department, and already changes are being made to policies, communications and service model design thinking, based on the advice and perspectives of children and young people in residential care in Queensland. Stay tuned for the release of the report.
The Queensland Family & Child Commission supported CREATE to deliver four art competitions and showcase events across QLD, encouraging self-expression through art. Read our blog about it here.
CREATE participated in the third annual Extended Post Care Support (EPCS) workshop, hosted by the Department of Child Safety’s Post Care and Youth team.
Over two days, two Young Consultants joined representatives from the Department, peak bodies, and EPCS providers across the state for a robust discussion about EPCS operations. Our young people, members of our EPCS Oversight Group, shared valuable insights on how to strengthen referral processes, manage financial supports, and ensure best practice is rolled out consistently for all recipients of the program.
Media releases
CREATE calls for children and young people to be front and centre in QLD’s child safety Inquiry. Read our media release, or if you are a young person, express your interest to get involved with CREATE here.
Budget Response
Is Queensland showing up for children in care? While the Queensland budget has some good news in it for children, young people and their families, it doesn’t provide the comprehensive frame to ensure that children being raised in the care of government are set up to have the best and brightest futures. Read CREATE’s Budget Response here.
Opportunities
Submissions are open for the Government’s review of hormone therapies (gender affirming care) for young people. If you need to attend the CREATE Office to access internet or for privacy, reach out to the team.
CREATE Foundation will make a submission based on what we have heard from children and young people in care, reflecting our advocacy for inclusion of LGBTQIA+ young people in care. We will share it on our website here once it has been submitted.
Join our planning group for Child Protection Week and T2A Month. Express interest here.
Apply now for the ATSICH’s Young, Black and Proud scholarship, proudly supported by QFCC. Apply before 16 July here.
CREATE updates
Young people help to improve practices and access to social, cultural and recreational activities. CREATE submitted detailed practice guidance to the Department on the experiences and insights of children and young people relating to participation and access to social, cultural and recreational activities.
Caseworkers and carers also contributed their insights as part of this work. The practice guidance has been accepted by the Department, and will be considered as part of continued improvement initiatives.
The community services sector and peak bodies in Tasmania are coordinating efforts to improve the stability of the workforce and conditions of social workers, youth workers and case managers in Tasmania. CREATE is supporting this advocacy, and has signed a statement to prioritise all Tasmanians, in particular the workforces and settings that shape the lives of children in care.
Budget Response
Is the Tasmanian government giving children in care the best chance of a bright future? The Tasmanian government has taken some forward steps, however has diluted its commitments and the opportunity for transformative improvements and change. Read CREATE’s Budget Response in full here.
Opportunities
The Tasmanian State Election is coming up on Saturday, 19 July. Voting is another way to have your say and engage with issues that are important to you. Find out more.
CREATE updates
Update following CREATE’s Ministerial Roundtable. CREATE submitted our Report following the Ministerial Roundtable with children and young people, the Department, the Commissioner for Children and Young People and CREATE’s CEO.
The Report has been accepted by the Department, and will form part of government listening to and understanding priorities for leaving care planning, caseworker support and stability and connection for kids in care.
The Northern Territory Government has released the Roadmap for Reform for infant, child and adolescent mental health service system, recognising the importance of tailored and priority care in response to the disproportionate impact of complex mental health needs for children and young people in care.
Thank you to every child and young person who participated in CREATE’s Youth Advisory Groups and shared your experiences and priorities for improving mental health care and access for kids in care. CREATE Foundation will work closely with the Department to continue to shape and influence the approach to improving access to mental health services for children and young people in care.
CREATE updates
CREATE recently submitted practice guidance to the Department on children and young people’s health and wellbeing in care and after the transition to independence. Our Report has been accepted by the Department and will form part of government’s consideration and understanding of what is needed to ensure access, quality and wellbeing for all children and young people in care, and throughout their lifetimes.
Thank you to all the children and young people throughout South Australia who participated in the consultation process and Youth Advisory Groups throughout the year.
The Flinders Foundation invited two CREATE Young Consultants to be keynote speakers at its annual Karen Fitzgerald Luncheon. They shared their stories to a room of 400 sector leaders and allies, including the Honourable Katrine Hilyard, Minister for Child Protection.
CREATE collaborated with the South Australian Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People (OGCYP) to deliver a Youth Advisory Panel on alcohol and drug exposure of people with a care experience. The insights provided by the 18 young people who attended made a significant contribution to the OGCYP’s response to the review of South Australia’s current legislated Youth Treatment Orders program (YTO).
The Guardian is advocating for young people, and communicating the views of young people to SA’s Attorney General that the Youth Treatment Orders program is not in the best interests of young people. Read more here.
CREATE updates
Our WA team travelled to Northam, Geraldton and Albany to meet with children and young people and ask them about their experiences of seeking support while in care. These insights will be shared at a roundtable in mid-August with the Minister and senior leaders focused on improving advocacy, safety and complaints processes for children and young people in care.
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