Page 740 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 20 March 2018
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Libraries continue to provide access to learning resources and programs for children and young people and work with partners to offer learning opportunities. For example, Libraries ACT has worked collaboratively with the child and family centres to run tracks to reconciliation, a collaborative event organised during National Reconciliation Week, and deadly digital—group programs including Koori kids aged eight to 12 years and Koori leadership for young people aged 12 years and over in the west Belconnen area.
The child, youth and family services program continues to deliver holistic, wraparound services for children, young people and their families. This program funds a range of providers to deliver youth engagement services, with a focus on outreach.
An outreach approach provides an opportunity for vulnerable young people to access a youth worker in their community who can support them to improve skills in goal setting, decision-making, coping, confidence, safe behaviours and choices. For example, a number of funded providers have come together to offer a sports program at Harrison School every Monday afternoon during the school term, delivered under an early intervention and prevention focused model of engagement. This form of engagement provides a soft entry point to support services where young people are engaged in an activity they enjoy in a fun, safe and flexible environment.
The final priority area of the commitment is to include children and young people in decision-making, especially in areas that affect them, ensuring they are informed and have a voice. Youth InterACT is the ACT government youth participation strategy which encourages participation by young people in the community, providing opportunities for young people to contribute to discussions on youth issues and to participate in government policies and programs on matters concerning young people.
One practical way this is achieved is through the Youth Advisory Council, which aims to give young people an opportunity to take a leading role in participation and consultation activities on issues affecting their lives. A great example of involving young people in decision-making was the engagements undertaken in 2017 by the Community Services Directorate, in partnership with the Youth Advisory Council, on the future of Youth Week in the ACT. The Youth Advisory Council conducted five consultations at Campbell and Lyneham high schools, Gungahlin College, the ANUÂ campus and the UniLodge. A total of 65 young people were consulted and a further online survey was undertaken.
As a result of seeking the views of young people, we have committed to supporting Youth Week in the ACT, despite the commonwealth ceasing funding for this event nationally. We are also delivering ACT Youth Week grants to promote youth participation and encourage young people to develop, implement and facilitate youth-focused projects in the ACT community during ACT Youth Week.
As demonstrated by the diverse examples highlighted today, the ACT government is well positioned to achieve positive, long-term results that will continue to improve
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