Draft Young Peoples Plan Context 9 Final 2

DRAFT Young People’s Plan 2009—2014
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Draft
YOUNG PEOPLE’S PLAN
2009 — 2014
ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services
Office for Children, Youth and Family Support
August 2009
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Contents
Contents................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Message from the Minister....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
How to tell us what you think ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Where have we been? ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Part 1 – Listening and Developing ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Vision..............................................................................................................................................................................................10
Aims................................................................................................................................................................................................10
Guiding Principles...........................................................................................................................................................................11
Who is the Young People’s Plan for? .............................................................................................................................................13
Why do we need a Young People’s Plan?......................................................................................................................................13
Who are the Territory’s young people?...........................................................................................................................................16
What is important to the Territory’s young people?.........................................................................................................................21
Where are we now?........................................................................................................................................................................26
Part 2 – Investing in Young People........................................................................................................................................................................ 32
Priorities and Goals ........................................................................................................................................................................32
Part 3 – Delivering the Plan ................................................................................................................................................................................... 49
How will the plan be implemented? ................................................................................................................................................49
How will we know the plan is making a difference? ........................................................................................................................52
Glossary for the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 ................................................................................................................................................. 53
References............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 55
Appendix 1: Submissions Index – Community Agencies ....................................................................................................................................... 59
Appendix 2: Consultation forums facilitated by the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services................................................. 60
Appendix 3: Selected ACT Government Strategic Policy Frameworks Relevant to the Development of the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014.... 61
Appendix 4: Selected Australian Government Policies and Agreements Relevant to the Development of the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014. 69
Appendix 5: Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 – Priorities, Goals and Progress Indicators ................................................................................... 74
Appendix 6: Key ACT Government Strategies for Priorities and Goals ................................................................................................................ 76
Endnotes.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 103
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Message from the Minister

The most important job for any community is to ensure that children and young people are provided with every
opportunity to reach their full potential and to be active members of society.
The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 will be the Government’s framework for meeting this obligation to the ACT’s
young people. However it is important to recognise that this is not a responsibility of government alone. To
achieve positive outcomes for young people, governments, communities and young people need to work together.
This draft Plan acknowledges that young people have many strengths and needs. While some young Canberrans are well placed
to reach their potential and make valuable contributions, others require additional support to deal with the challenges they face.
The Plan recognises this and provides a framework to guide the work of the ACT Government, young people and the community to
achieve better outcomes for all young Canberrans.
The draft Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 has been developed after consultation with young people and the community. A strong
evidence base has been used to identify and meet the needs of young people.
The Young People’s Plan will be more closely aligned with the ACT Children’s Plan. This is in recognition that the needs and
interests of children and young people overlap and will ensure smoother transitions and links within government.
The Government is working towards developing a revised ACT Children’s Plan to complement the new Young People’s Plan and I
aim to release both by the end of 2009.
In the meantime, I encourage young Canberrans, their parents, carers and everyone with an interest in youth policy to have a say
on the draft Young People’s Plan 2009-2014.
Andrew Barr MLA

Minister for Children and Young People
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How to tell us what you think

The ACT Government invites written comment on the draft Young People’s Plan 2009-2014.
All comments and submissions received will be publicly available at www.dhcs.act.gov.au.
If you would like your comments to be confidential, please state this clearly when providing comment.
Comments may be mailed to:
Youth Directorate
Office for Children, Youth and Family Support
Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Comments may be emailed to: submissionsocyfs@.act.gov.au or to youthinteract@act.gov.au.
Comments or inquiries may be made by telephoning: 02 6205 4369.
The closing date for written comments is 5pm Thursday 8 October 2009.
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Executive Summary
On 28 May 2009 the Minister for Children and Young People released a discussion paper to seek the community’s views on a new
Plan for young people in the Territory. Twelve written submissions on the discussion paper were received as outlined at Appendix 1.
The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services facilitated ten consultation forums (nine forums with young people and
one open community forum). An overview of these forums is at Appendix 2. The findings from consultation have informed the Plan’s
development.
The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 consists of three parts: Listening and Developing, Investing in Young People and Delivering the
Plan.
Part 1 — Listening and Developing, describes how the voices of young people and the community have been heard in developing
the Plan and it summarises the findings from consultation with young people and the community. This section also references what
young people are saying at a national level and what research is telling us about young people and the issues they face. A social and
demographic profile of the Territory’s young people is included. This describes who our young people are, where they reside, how
they are, what they are engaged in and what issues they experience.
This part also explains why we need a Plan for young people in the Territory and what we aim to achieve through the Plan. It
articulates the principles guiding the Plan’s development and implementation.
Part 2 — Investing in Young People, describes how the ACT Government is responding to the critical issues impacting on the
Territory’s young people in 2009 as identified from consultations and research.
There are five key priorities for young people contained in the Plan. These are:
1. Health, wellbeing and support;

2. Families and communities;
3. Participation and access;
4. Transitions and pathways; and
5. Environment and sustainability.
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Each priority has a number of goals and identified progress indicators. Key ACT Government strategies are outlined for each priority
and goal in Appendix 6.
Part 3 — Delivering the Plan, outlines a framework for implementing the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 to achieve its vision and
aims and ensure accountability to young people and the broader ACT community. Annual action plans will be developed to ensure
that the changing needs of young people in the ACT are taken into account and plans are responsive to emerging trends and issues.
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Where have we been?

The ACT Young People’s Plan 2004-2008 was developed with close reference to Building our Community: The Canberra Social Plan
(‘the Canberra Social Plan’). The goals of the Canberra Social Plan are to:
• invest in children and young people;

• increase participation, engagement and the achievement of children and young people; and
• improve the transition between school, further study, and the workforce.
The Young People’s Plan 2004-2008 expressed the ACT Government’s commitment to young people and provided a whole-of-
government policy framework for all young people, based on the themes of Participation, Access, Transitions and Support.
The ACT Young People’s Plan 2004-2008 incorporated two key policy documents: the ACT Government Commitment to Young
People 2004-2008 (‘the Commitment to Young People’) and the Blueprint for Young People ‘at risk’ 2004-2008 (‘the Blueprint for
Young People’).
The Commitment to Young People
The Commitment to Young People specified key actions in relation to young people’s school completion rates and the provision of
targeted and effective vocational training. The ACT Government committed to all young people in the ACT having the opportunity to
complete 13 years of school or appropriate vocational education and training and/or receive appropriate training to assist them to work
safely and competently.
The objectives of the Commitment to Young People were:

1. To provide assistance and support to young people who are at risk of leaving school early to continue to work towards the
completion of Year 12 or undertake school based vocational education and training; and
2. To provide assistance to young people who have left school early to return to school or a registered training organisation to
complete Year 12 or to obtain a vocational education and training qualification or to obtain a full time job in which appropriate
education and training is provided.
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Since 2004, there have been significant local and national policy developments in the area of transitions and attainments. The ACT
Government has announced that the Education Act 2004 will be amended to change the ACT’s minimum school leaving age from 15
to 17 years as of 2010. In 2009, the Council of Australian Governments endorsed the National Partnership Agreement on Youth
Attainment and Transitions which includes a National Youth Participation Requirement and an entitlement to education or training
places for 15 to 24 year olds. The National Partnership Agreement on Youth Attainment and Transitions is discussed further below.
The Commitment to Young People aimed to contribute to meeting the Canberra Social Plan target of an increase from 77% to 95% of
the proportion of 19 year olds with a Year 12 Certificate or equivalent by 2013. In 2008, over 90 percent of ACT 20 to 24 year olds had
completed year 12 or equivalent or gained at least an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate II1.
In developing the Young People's Plan 2009-2014, young people identified a need for greater support in transitions and pathways
between school, training and employment.
The key policy objectives outlined in the Commitment to Young People are integrated in the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014. A key
priority continues to be transitions and pathways.
The Blueprint for Young People
The Blueprint for Young People targeted at risk young people aged 12 to 25. It explained how government could enhance support,
improve coordinated assistance and strengthen age specific support.
The Blueprint for Young People defines young people as being 'at risk' if their circumstances and/or behaviour impacts upon their
physical, emotional or social development, and/or they are 'at risk' of becoming disconnected from families, peers, schools and the
community more generally. Within the definition of risk, the Blueprint for Young People acknowledges that a continuum of young
people's needs must be addressed.
In developing the Young People's Plan 2009-2014, young people expressed a preference for the use of the term ‘vulnerable’, rather
than ‘at risk’, to describe their circumstances. Findings from community consultation emphasised that policy for vulnerable young
people should be integrated, with only one submission recommending separate policy or themes to meet the needs of vulnerable
young people and their families.
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The term ‘vulnerable young people’ is used in the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014. A key priority for the 2009-2014 Plan continues to
be the ACT’s vulnerable young people and meeting their additional support needs.
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Part 1 – Listening and Developing
Vision
The vision for the Young People's Plan 2009-2014 is that:
Canberra is a child and youth friendly city that supports all young people to reach their
full potential, make valuable contributions and share the benefits of our community
Aims
The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 aims to:
• Value and promote the positive contribution that young people make to the ACT community;
• Respect, protect and advance the human rights of young people in the ACT;
• Ensure participation and engagement by young people in the implementation of the Plan;
• Identify the needs of young people in the ACT and provide priorities for action by government and non-government agencies;
and
• Guide policy development and service delivery for young people in the ACT by government and non-government agencies.
The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is a statement of commitment by the ACT Government to work in partnership with young people
and key stakeholders to improve outcomes for young people in the ACT aged 12 to 25 years.
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The Plan for 2009-2014 builds on the four key directions outlined in the Young People’s Plan 2004-2008. These directions were:
participation, transitions, access and support. It also builds on the key achievements of the 2004-2008 Plan.
The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 takes account of issues which have emerged or assumed greater importance to young people
since 2004 including civic engagement through the use of the internet, social and environmental sustainability and public and personal
safety.
The aims of the Young People's Plan 2009-2014 are directed at ensuring collaboration and coordination between policies and services
developed and delivered by government and non-government agencies.
Guiding Principles
The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is guided by the following principles:
• Young people’s human rights are respected, protected and advanced in accordance with the Human Rights Act 2004 and
international human rights standards such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
• Young people are valued members of the community;
• Young people’s strengths are recognised and respected;
• Young people are encouraged to contribute and participate in family, community and social life;
• Young people are provided with meaningful opportunities to express their opinions and influence decisions about their city; and
• Young people are provided with equitable access to information and services to meet their needs and achieve their potential.
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To improve outcomes for young people in the ACT, the ACT Government is guided by the following principles:
• To proactively support vulnerable young people in the ACT;
• To work in partnership with young people, communities and other key stakeholders;
• To focus on prevention and early intervention measures;
• To promote collaboration, coordination and integration of quality services for young people; and
• To ensure that policies and services for young people are evidence based, regularly evaluated and responsive to emerging
needs and trends.
These principles are aligned with the ACT Children’s Plan 2004-2014 principles of:
• Prevention and early intervention;
• Child-centred, family and community focused;
• Collaborative and well coordinated;
• Strengths-based and inclusive; and
• Evidence-based and accountable.
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Who is the Young People’s Plan for?
The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is a plan to improve outcomes for all young people in the ACT aged 12 to 25 years.
The Young People’s Plan complements the ACT Children’s Plan which focuses attention on the needs of ACT children aged up to 12
years and their families.
In addition, the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is a guide for government and non-government agencies to improve policies and
services for young people whilst also promoting accountability to the community.
Why do we need a Young People’s Plan?
Young people are important members of our community who make positive contributions to the social and economic life of the ACT.
Between the ages of 12 and 25, young people experience a number of significant developmental stages and transitions from early to
late adolescence, to early adulthood. Adolescence is a time of considerable physical and emotional change and growth when young
people are developing their identity and increasing their independence. It is also a time when young people are building the
foundations for their future health and wellbeing2. Early adolescence is an important time for the reinforcement of positive health and
social behaviours, as behaviours at this stage are strong predictors of future behaviour3. Decisions made by young people have the
potential to dramatically affect their health and wellbeing, both in the short term and into the future.
Young people also make a number of critical life transitions. Some of the key transitions are from primary to secondary school, from
secondary school to training, employment or higher education and from home to independent living. There are opportunities,
challenges and potential risks in each of these transitional periods in a young person’s life.
In terms of opportunities, we know from research that the key factors contributing to the wellbeing of young adults are:
• quality secondary and post-school education;

• good transitions from school to work;
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• no or limited exposure to or participation in criminal activities; and
• economic and social participation4.
Young people may need support to maximise these opportunities and negotiate these transitions.
Challenges and risks that arise in negotiating key adolescent developmental tasks include increasing independence from family,
defining identity, developing a value system and forming intimate relationships outside of the family. We know from research that
young people aged 13 to 19 are more likely than younger peers to engage in risky behaviours (such as substance use, dangerous
driving and unsafe sexual practices) leading to high rates of violence and injury among young people5. Adolescence is also a time
when certain health conditions and associated risk factors emerge (such as mental health disorders, chronic and communicable
diseases and weight issues including obesity) which may continue into adulthood6.
It is recognised that all young people in our community have different strengths and needs and face unique challenges. Some young
people in our community are vulnerable because of disconnection from their families and communities whilst other young people have
specific needs that require additional support and options in order to make positive life choices.
Indicators of vulnerability for young people are broad and include:
• Experience of abuse, neglect, conflict or violence within the family;

• Inability to reside at home, unsafe accommodation and homelessness;
• Significant risk-taking behaviours such as use of alcohol and other drugs and unsafe sexual practices;
• Limited family support;
• Experience of mental health issues including self harm;
• Disengagement or exclusion from mainstream education;
• Poor physical health and negative lifestyle choices;
• Disability, particularly where behaviour and relationships are affected;
• Negative peer association;
• Unemployment and poverty;
• Socio-economic disadvantage; and
• Offending behaviour and involvement with the criminal justice system.
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The term ‘vulnerable young people’, as used in the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014, describes:
Young people who, through a combination of individual, family and social circumstances, are at risk of not realising their
potential to achieve positive life outcomes7.
This definition acknowledges that vulnerability may arise from individual or family capabilities and circumstances, from social and
economic circumstances, including external or structural barriers to participation, or a combination of these factors.
The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 also recognises that some young people in our community have specific needs including, but not
limited to:
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people;

• young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
• newly arrived or refugee young people;
• young people with disabilities;
• young women;
• young carers;
• young parents;
• young people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex;
• young people at risk of abuse or neglect;
• young people in care, young people exiting care and young people formerly in care;
• young people in detention, young people exiting detention and young people formerly in detention;
• young people involved in the criminal justice system;
• young people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness;
• young people affected by alcohol and other drugs;
• young people who are victims of crime; and
• young people affected by mental health issues.
As a community, we have a responsibility to assist all young people to achieve their potential while recognising their unique strengths
and needs. The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is a holistic and integrated plan to make a positive difference for all young people in
the ACT.
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Who are the Territory’s young people?
A profile of young people in the Territory underpins the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014.
Population
The number of ACT young people aged 12 to 25 years is 69,578, representing 21.47% of the total ACT population. The number of
male young people is 35,693 and the number of female young people is 33,894. The number of Indigenous young people aged
12 to 25 years in the ACT is 597, representing 1.7% of the 12 to 25 year old ACT population. The number of young people aged
12 to 25 years in the ACT who were born overseas is 9,182, representing 13.2% of the 12 to 25 year old ACT population8.
Health and Wellbeing
The following are indicators of the health and wellbeing of young people in the ACT:
Activity, Diet and Lifestyle
• Survey results show that physical activity levels for the ACT are slightly higher than activity levels nationally, but moderate and
vigorous levels of activity have declined in recent years. In 2005, survey results show that 45.7% of adults (aged 18 years or
more) and 13.9% of adolescents (aged 12-17 years) in the ACT were engaging in sufficient levels of physical activity to meet
national guidelines9.
• It is estimated that 8.3% of adults (aged 19 years or more) in the ACT consumed the recommended minimum daily serves of
vegetables in 2005; less than half (45.7%) consumed the recommended minimum daily serves of fruit and less than half
(45.6%) reported a preference for skim or low fat milk, as recommended in the national guidelines10.
• Similar dietary patterns are noted among adolescents. 22.0% of secondary students (12-17 years) surveyed in the 2005
ASSAD reported consuming four or more serves of vegetables a day; 41.7% consumed three or more serves of fruit each day;
and, 18.5% consumed five or more serves of cereals each day, in-line with national dietary guidelines for adolescents11.
• Estimates based on self-reported heights and weights, from the NHS survey series show an increase in the proportion of
overweight and obese adults (18 years or more) for Australia and the ACT in recent years. About one in five adults (18-64
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years) in the ACT were obese and a third were overweight in 2005. Among adolescents (12-17 years), 14.0% reported a body
mass index (BMI) in the overweight range and 8.2% reported a BMI in the obese range12.
Alcohol and Drug Use
• 15.4% of adults (18 years or more) and 2.9% of adolescents (12-17 years) surveyed in the ACT were daily smokers in 2005.
Survey estimates also suggest that there has been a decrease in the prevalence of smoking in recent years, especially among
adolescents13.
• Alcohol consumption rates for adults in the ACT are similar to rates nationally. In 2005, three in ten adults (18 years or more) in
the ACT were at risk of harm from alcohol consumption in the short term and one in twenty in the long term. Consumption rates
among adolescents (12-17 years) appear to have declined significantly in recent years, with current (drank in the last week)
consumption rates declining from 31.2% in 2002 to 26.3% in 200514.
• Although rates of illicit substance use among adults (18 years or more) have not changed significantly, rates among
adolescents have declined significantly in recent years. In 2005, inhalants were the most commonly used illicit substance, with
17.6% of 12-17 year olds having used inhalants at least once in their lifetime, followed by cannabis (16.9%) and tranquillisers
(14.7%)15.
Lifestyle
• A sustained decline in the uptake of sun protection measures by adolescents had been noted in recent years16.
Families and Communities
Housing and Homelessness
• In the ACT in 2007-08, the number of young people aged 24 years and under who were clients of homelessness services was
850, representing 45.2% of the total number of clients of ACT homelessness services17.
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Family Structure and Living Arrangements
In the ACT in 2006:

• the number of young people aged 15 to 24 years living with their parents was 30,189, representing 59% of the total
population18;
• the number of dependant students aged 15 to 24 years in ACT households was 17,071, representing 33% of the total
population19;
• the number of young people aged 13 to 24 years living in a couple family with children was 19,813 and the number of young
people aged 13 to 24 years living in a one parent family was 5,47120; and
• the number of young people aged 15 to 24 years who were young carers was 2,093, representing 4% of the total population21.
Demographic Location
The following table outlines the demographic location of young people aged 10 to 24 years in the ACT in 2007, with projected
demographic location of young people aged 10 to 24 years in the ACT in 2019. The ACT districts with the highest projected growth of
young people aged 10 to 24 years are Gungahlin-Hall (24%), Tuggeranong (18.8%) and North Canberra (9.2%)22.
Age 2007 Projection 10-24 y/o 2019 projection 10-24 y/o Growth %
1. North Canberra 11400 12450 9.2%

2. Belconnen 19800 18350 -7.3%
3. Woden Valley 6450 6350 -1.6%
4. Weston Creek 4050 3850 -4.9%
5. Tuggeranong 22050 17900 -18.8%
6. South Canberra 4850 5000 3.1%
7. Gungahlin – Hall 8350 10350 24.0%
8. Molonglo 0 1850 -
Total 76950 76100 -1.1%
Source: ACT Population Projections for Suburbs and Districts 2007 -2019: ACT Government Chief Ministers Department 2009.
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Participation and Access
Internet
• In 2008, nearly one fifth of ACT 11 to 24 year olds (18.6%) reported that they turned to the internet for advice and support23. The
proportion was higher for older young people aged 15 to 19 years (26.1%) than young people aged 11 to 14 years (15.8%)24.
Volunteering
• In 2006, approximately 38% of young people aged 15 to 19 years and 36% of young people aged 20 to 24 years indicated that they
engaged in some form of volunteering in the ACT25.
Transitions and Pathways
Engagement in Education
Young People engaged in Education in the ACT: Indigenous % total pop Total Young % total pop
Young 12-24 People 12-24
People
Young people engaged in secondary education aged 12-18 405 0.6% 22,981 35.8%
Young people engaged in technical or further education aged 15-24 31 0.05% 1,845 2.9%
FT
Young people engaged in technical or further education aged 15-24 37 0.06% 2,234 3.5%
PT
Young people engaged in university or other tertiary education aged 61 0.1% 10,621 16.5%
15-24 FT
Young people engaged in university or other tertiary education aged 6 0.01% 1,319 2.1%
15-24 PT
Total number of young people aged 12-24 yrs engaged in some 540 0.9% 39000 60.8%
form of education
Note: excludes those who were engaged in ‘other education’
Source: ABS Census 2006
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Educational Attainment
Over 90 percent of ACT 20-24 year-olds had completed Year 12 or equivalent or gained at least an Australian Qualifications
Framework (AQF) Certificate II.
Source: Pathways to the future: A consultation paper on increasing young people’s engagement in education, training and work, 2008
Engagement in Training
In the ACT in 2007:

• 57 students received recognition on their Year 12 Certificate for vocational qualifications awarded by a Registered Training
Organisation (RTO) other than their college;
• VET certificates were awarded to 2,403 students (from year 10 to year 12);
• There were 359 Australian School-Based Apprenticeship commencements in the ACT;
• 27 students completed an Australian School-based Apprenticeship with their college as the RTO;
• 216 students completed an Australian School-based Apprenticeship with an external RTO; and
• 185 students received this recognition on their Year 12 Certificate and 31 students who did not achieve a Year 12 Certificate
received recognition on their Secondary College Record.
Source: Pathways to the future: A consultation paper on increasing young people’s engagement in education, training and work, 2008
Engagement in Employment
Indigenous Male Indigenous Female Indigenous % total Total

Male Total Female Total Total pop 15-
Total Total 24 yrs
Employed 187 18472 185 16284 372
Unemployed 51 1541 36 1181 87
Not in Labour force 149 6947 146 6296 295
Not stated 15 1385 12 1059 27
Total 402 28345 379 24820 781 1.5% 53165
Source: ABS Census 2006
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Environment and Sustainability
• In 2008, 14.2% of ACT young people aged 11 to 24 years identified that they were involved in environmental activities. This is
comparable with a national average of 14.3%. 23% of ACT young people aged 11 to 24 years identified that they were concerned
about the environment, which was higher than the national average (18.4%)26.
What is important to the Territory’s young people?
The views of young people are important in identifying issues, placing these issues on the policy agenda and contributing to solutions.
The ideas and opinions of young people have shaped the development of the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014. We know from
listening to young people at a local and a national level what they value, what issues they are interested in and what concerns them.
Some of the issues for young people identified through the Australian Youth Forum include:
• cyber-bullying;
• body image;
• global poverty;
• the impact of the Global Recession on young people;
• access to government services;
• finding somewhere to live; and
• the Compact with young Australians.
In 2008, the Mission Australia survey found that ACT young people:
• value family relationships, friendships (other than family) and physical and mental health;
• are concerned about drugs, family conflict and suicide; and
• turn to friends, parents, relatives and family friends for advice and support.
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The National Youth Affairs Research Scheme (NYARS) has undertaken research in 2008 and 2009 on the following issues for young
people:
• Young Carers: their characteristics and geographical distribution;

• Rewriting the Rules for Youth Participation: Inclusion and diversity in government and community decision-making;
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Young People and Mentoring: the case of Horn of African young people in
Australia; and
• Young People (12-17 years) and financial debt.
Young people expressed their views and ideas about the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 in a number of different ways including:
• Through the Youth Advisory Council and to the Minister for Children and Young People;
• Through the Youth InterACT conferences held during National Youth Week, most recently in April 2009;
• Through responding to surveys;
• Through participation in forums and other engagement strategies; and
• Through on-line contributions, including the Youth InterACT website and social networking sites.
Surveys
In October 2008, the Youth Advisory Council conducted a survey with young people to identify issues of concern and to ask young
people to prioritise what is important to them. In April 2009 a survey was distributed during National Youth Week to identify priorities
for the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014. In May 2009 the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services distributed
additional Young People’s Plan surveys to all ACT schools, colleges, universities and youth services.
A total of 432 young people aged from 8 to 28 responded to both surveys. Feedback from 38 Young People’s Plan surveys was
utilised, however, data for these surveys was not incorporated into findings due to incomplete responses.
The findings from the Youth Advisory Council survey identified the following issues of importance to young people: the environment
(50.18%), alcohol and drugs (48.40%), health & wellbeing (40.21%), physical and sexual abuse (36.30%) and personal safety
(35.94%).
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The findings from the Young People’s Plan survey identified the following issues of importance to young people: increase access to
public space (46.61%), help moving from school to work or study or moving from living with your family to independent living (45.76%),
programs that develop skills and leadership (44.92%) and meeting individual needs (44.92%). Other important issues included access
to services to increase personal health and wellbeing (43.22%), providing safe, secure and affordable accommodation (38.98%) and
improving young people’s involvement in education and training (38.14%).
Consultation Forums
In June/July 2009, ten consultation forums were conducted with young people and community members by the Department of
Disability, Housing and Community Services, with some consultations undertaken in partnership with members of the Youth Advisory
Council. These forums engaged a total of 140 young people from a range of backgrounds, life experiences, cultures and abilities. An
outline of these forums is at Appendix 2. Building on findings from the surveys, the purpose of this consultation was to engage young
people in interactive forums to seek their views on issues to be addressed in the Young People’s Plan and to identify any gaps in
service delivery.
Key Findings
The key findings from the consultation process were:
Health, Wellbeing and Support
Consultation identified the key issues of health and wellbeing, including alcohol and drug use, as areas of priority. Mental health was
also a high priority of concern, with many young people requesting improvements in support for mental health issues and better
service delivery.
All of the young people consulted and the information obtained through surveys confirmed that support was a key issue, not only in
being able to access appropriate support, but ensuring that the support and information provided was through well trained staff. There
was also a strong view that support be provided in a more flexible manner including the option of operating outside of business hours.
Many young people said they are not able to access services due to work, school and training commitments. Additionally, the young
people who identified themselves as “at risk” stated they did not want this terminology used and suggested that they be referred to as
vulnerable young people.
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Families and Communities
Consultations indicated that young people are connected to their communities and involve themselves in activities or issues they are
concerned about.
Information obtained from the consultations and surveys indicated there was a high level of concern regarding personal and
community safety. This was particularly identified by young people engaged in recreational activities, those using technology and
those using public transport. Additionally, secure housing was identified as an area of need.
Young people felt strongly that they should have more public space and facilities for youth events and entertainment. Young people
also expressed a view that access to events, including sporting events, should be free of charge or at minimal cost in order to facilitate
greater participation.
Young people identified their friends, peers and significant others as equally important to them as their families. They felt that whilst it
is significant to be able to talk to trained staff about their issues, it was equally important that support be provided to their families.
This was particularly expressed by young people from Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Participation and Access
Young people like to participate in their communities and address issues they feel strongly about, such as the environment. Many
young people were involved in committees, theatre or art groups and in their local communities.
Young people’s participation through consultations has increased over 200% in the past three years at the Youth InterACT
Conference. Young people are also using more technology through on-line forums, surveys and text messaging. The Youth InterACT
website receives approximately 28,000 hits per month indicating access to a range of information by young people.
Young people identified the need for better access to technology and online engagement services. Young people felt that most
government and non-government organisations are not able to keep “up to pace” with emerging and changing developments regarding
technology. They also highlighted that schools need to address cyber-bullying and the impact this may have on young people.
Consultations indicated that Indigenous youth living in Wreck Bay and young people with intellectual disabilities, with limited ability to
access and engage in the use of technology, are at risk of social exclusion.
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Access to services was identified by young people as a significant issue at all consultation forums. In some instances this related to
transport issues, but most young people identified being able to physically access a service during opening hours as often difficult.
Transitions and Pathways
All young people identified transitions as a major area where further information, development and support are required. Of particular
concern to young people were the transitions from primary to secondary schools and from secondary schools to higher education.
Young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds raised issues about transitioning into ‘mainstream’ schooling.
Young people who had been in the care and protection system identified transitions from care as being critical.
Additionally, transition to independent living was a key theme with many young people not knowing what was available to them, how to
access appropriate accommodation and how to access support services for assistance with this transition. Young people with
disabilities identified this as a major area of concern.
Young people considered that there is a lack of clarity about referral and access pathways to adult support services when they
become adults or when they reach 25 years and youth services are no longer able to provide support.
Some young people considered that pathways into employment are not clear and open to them. Some young people felt that they had
to “know what they wanted” with it being left up to them to pursue employment or a career. Young people also considered that more
employment opportunities were needed for young people. Some young people expressed concern over the Australian Government’s
‘Earning or Learning’ initiative, with young people indicating they had limited understanding of how it would affect them.
Environment and Sustainability
The environment and sustainability was a high priority for young people. The Youth Advisory Council survey found that the
environment was the highest overall priority for respondent young people.
Young people displayed knowledge of environment and sustainability issues and suggested initiatives such as more sustainable
housing with grey water tanks and the Government taking more action by turning off office building lights in the city over weekends and
at night.
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Young people expressed concern about Canberra’s drought and sustainable water use. Young people considered that incentives
should be provided to use less water and electricity.
Young people were interested in making suggestions about the environment and sustainability, such as the school curriculum
containing information on the environment and sustainability and how young people could reduce their ecological footprint.
Where are we now?
Since 2004, there have been significant local and national developments for children and young people which have shaped the Young
People’s Plan 2009-2014.
ACT Legislative Context
In 2004, the ACT became the first Australian State or Territory to implement a Human Rights Act. In addition to the rights of all
community members, the Human Rights Act 2004 recognises the special rights of children27 and families including:
• Protection of the family and children (section 11); and
• Children and young people in the criminal process (section 20).
The rights of children and young people in the ACT are recognised through:
• Convention on the Rights of the Child;
• United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice;
• United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty;
• Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners; and
• Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment.
In 2008, the Children and Young People Act 2008 (‘the Act’) replaced the Children and Young People Act 1999. The Act is the
primary source of ACT law relating to the Territory’s children and young people. It addresses children and young people at risk of
abuse and neglect, children and young people involved in the criminal justice system, children using childcare services and children
and young people engaged in employment. The Act ensures the best interests of the child or young person is the paramount
consideration for decisions made under this legislation.
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ACT Policy Context
A number of ACT policies are relevant to the development of the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014, specifically the ACT Children’s Plan
2004-2014. There are a number of synergies across both plans including vision, principles and key strategies.
ACT Children’s Plan and a Child and Youth Friendly City
The ACT Children’s Plan, launched in 2004, focuses on three key areas:
• Children now and in the future;

• Children and their families; and
• Children and their communities.
The ACT Children’s Plan 2004-2014 expressed a vision for Canberra to be:
• a community that encourages and supports children to reach their potential - now and in the future;
• a place where children are active citizens; and
• a great and safe place for children.
To achieve this vision, the overarching priority of the ACT Children’s Plan Interdepartmental Committee is Building a Child Friendly
City, with three further priorities of: Promoting and fostering best practice; Facilitating integrated service delivery and Promoting and
advocating for the needs of children.
UNICEF defines a child and youth friendly city as a city or a system of local governance committed to fulfilling the rights of children and
young people, including their right to influence decisions about their city, express their opinions on the city they want and participate in
family, community and social life28. A child and youth friendly city is the embodiment of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at
the local level, which in practice means that the rights of children and young people are reflected in policies, laws, programs and
budgets.
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29
The International Secretariat for Child Friendly Cities promotes nine building blocks to becoming a child-friendly city :
1. Children's participation - promoting children's active involvement in issues that affect them; listening to their views and taking
them into consideration in decision-making processes.
2. A child-friendly legal framework - ensuring legislation, regulatory frameworks and procedures, which consistently promote and
protect the rights of children.
3. A City-wide Children's Rights Strategy - developing a detailed comprehensive strategy or agenda for building a Child Friendly
City, based on the convention.
4. A Children's Rights Unit or coordinating mechanism - developing permanent structures in local government to ensure
priority consideration of children's perspectives.
5. Child impact assessment and evaluation - ensuring that there is a systematic process to assess the impact of law, policy and
practice on children - in advance, during and after implementation.
6. A children's budget - ensuring adequate resource commitment and budget analysis for children.
7. A regular State of the City's Children report - ensuring sufficient monitoring and data collection on the state of children and their
rights.
8. Making children's rights known - ensuring awareness of children's rights among adults and children.
9. Independent advocacy for children - supporting non-government organisations and developing independent human rights
institutions - children's ombudsmen or commissioners for children - to promote children's rights.
One of the actions for the ACT Children’s Plan Interdepartmental Committee is assessing performance against these nine building
blocks and proposing actions to address any identified gaps.
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Related ACT Policies
Other ACT Government policies which are relevant to the development of the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 include:
• The Canberra Plan: Towards our Second Century, launched in 2008;

• Building our Community: The Canberra Social Plan, launched in 2004;
• ACT Women’s Plan 2004-2009;
• ACT Multicultural Strategy 2006-2009;
• ACT Skills Future: Key Initiatives in a Long Term Strategy to Address the Skills Challenge (ACT Skills Future), launched in
2008;
• Affordable Housing Action Plan;
• The Social Compact: A Partnership between the Community Sector and the ACT Government;
• Community Sector Funding Policy;
• Towards a Sustainable Community Sector in the ACT;
• Sustainable Transport Action Plan 2010-2016;
• Capital Development – Towards our Second Century;
• People, Place, Prosperity: A Policy for Sustainability in the ACT;
• Confronting Demographic Challenge;
• Children’s and Young People’s Justice Health Services Plan 2008-2012;
• Challenge 2014 – a 10 year vision for disability in the ACT;
• Your Guide to Engaging with the Community: ACT Government Community Engagement Manual;
• The ACT Government Policy Framework for Children and Young People with a Disability and their Families; and
• The Caring for Carers Policy.
A number of ACT Government strategic policies relevant to the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 are currently being reviewed or
developed. These include:
• Building our Community: The Canberra Social Plan - A discussion paper to inform the update of the 2004 Canberra Social Plan
was released in June 2009;
• Future Directions: Towards Challenge 2014 (in development);
• ACT Multicultural Strategy 2009-2012 (in development);
• ACT Women’s Plan (in development);
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• Building a Strong Foundation: A Framework for Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in the ACT 2009-2014 (in
development);
• ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Strategy 2009-2012 (in development);
• ACT Mental Health Services Plan 2008-2013 (in development); and
• Managing the Risk of Suicide Two: A Suicide Prevention Strategy for the ACT 2009-2014 (in development).
A description of selected ACT Government policies relevant to the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is at Appendix 3.
Australian Government Policy Context
A number of Australian Government policies and agreements are relevant to the development of the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014
including:
• Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage: the Challenge for Australia and the National Indigenous Reform Agreement;
• National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in April
2009;
• National Partnership Agreement on Youth Attainment and Transitions, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in
July 2009; and
• The Road Home: Homelessness White Paper and National Partnership on Homelessness.
A description of selected Australian Government policies and agreements relevant to the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is at
Appendix 4.
Figure 1 represents selected local and national policies and agreements relevant to the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014.
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Closing the
Gap on
Indigenous Figure 1: Selected Local and National Policies and Agreements Relevant to the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014
Disadvantage
The Canberra Plan: Towards Our Second Century Challenge 2014
and National
Indigenous
Future Directions: Towards
Reform
Building Our Community: The Canberra Social Plan Challenge 2014
Agreement
ACT Government Policy
National Framework for Children &
Framework for ACT Affordable Young People with a
ACT ACT Young ACT
Protecting Children’s People’s Plan Women’s Multicultural Housing Disability and their Families
Australia’s Plan 2009-2014 Plan Strategy Action Plan
Children 2006-2009 The Caring for Carers Policy
2004-2014 2004-2009
2009-2020
ACT Mental • The Social Compact: A
Access Health Health Partnership between the
Children and – Health care for Services Plan Community Sector and the
National Young People all in the ACT 2009-2013 ACT Government
Partnership Taskforce • Community Sector Funding
Policy
Agreement on • Towards a Sustainable
Building a Strong
Youth Community Sector in the
Children’s and Foundation: A
Attainment and Framework for ACT
Transitions Young People’s • Sustainable Transport Action
Justice Health Promoting Mental
Plan 2010-2016
Health and
Community Community Services Plan • ACT Skills Future: Key
The Road Advisory 2008-2012 Wellbeing in the Initiatives in a Long Term
Advisory
Home: ACT 2009-2014 Strategy to Address the
Group - Group -
Homelessness Children Young Skills Challenge
White Paper People • Capital Development –
and ACT Alcohol, Managing the Risk Towards our Second
Tobacco and Other of Suicide Two: A Century
National • People, Place, Prosperity: A
Drugs Strategy Suicide Prevention
Partnership on Strategy for the ACT Policy for Sustainability in
2009-2013
Homelessness 2009-2014 (draft) the ACT
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Part 2 – Investing in Young People

Priorities and Goals
Five key priorities have been identified from current evidence regarding young people’s issues and consultations with young
people, community and government. These five key priorities are:
1. Health, Wellbeing and Support;

2. Families and Communities;
3. Participation and Access;
4. Transitions and Pathways; and
5. Environment and Sustainability.
Each priority has a number of goals and identified progress indicators.
An outline of the priorities, goals and progress indicators for the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is at Appendix 5. Key ACT
Government strategies are outlined for each priority and goal at Appendix 6.
Priority 1 – Health, Wellbeing and Support
Introduction
The health and wellbeing of young people includes complete physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity30.
Research tells us that there have been many positive trends in the health and wellbeing of young people but there are areas where
gains can be made. We know that the mental health of young people is an area of concern. Mental health problems amongst
young Australians account for almost half the total disease burden for this age group31. One in four young Australians aged 16-24
years old has a mental health disorder with young people, especially girls, highlighting self harm and unhealthy body image32.
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33
We also know that the number of young people who are overweight and obese has increased in recent years . Less than half of all
young people participated in enough physical activity to meet recommended guidelines and even fewer met the guidelines for daily
vegetable consumption in 2004-0534. Obesity, nutrition and physical inactivity/sedentary behaviour are recognised as key health
issues for children and young people in the ACT35. Participation in sport and other forms of physical activity improves the health
and wellbeing of young people.
Adolescence and young adulthood is a period of considerable physical and emotional change and growth. Behaviour during early
adolescence is a strong predictor of future behaviour. It is therefore important to reinforce positive health and social behaviours
during this time36. Some young people will engage in risk taking behaviours during adolescence such as alcohol or drug use and
unsafe sexual activity37. Almost one third of young people drank alcohol in amounts that put them at risk or high risk of alcohol-
related harm in the short-term in 200438. Over the last 10 years notification rates for sexually transmitted infections has also
substantially increased39.
It is important that young people are provided with resources and support to make informed choices about their health and
wellbeing. It is a joint responsibility of community and Government to assist young people to lead healthy lifestyles.
What young people have told us
Young people like to have fun, be amongst friends and have spaces where they are able to “hang out”.
They also want access to health and support services that are ‘youth friendly’ and responsive to their needs. They want services
that are located in their communities, around their workplaces and where they can discuss a range of issues relating to their health
and wellbeing. They want professionals to respect them as individuals and value their input.
“I want to be able to access services in my local area”
“We would like more medical services as we only have the medical centre open one day a week”
“I would like to be able to access Doctors and for them not to treat me like I don’t know and to be able to access dental care”
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Goals
1) Support young people to develop healthy lifestyles
Young people require information about their health in order to make positive health and lifestyle choices. Young people require
support to be active, enjoy healthy eating, build healthy lifestyles and have positive images of their bodies.
2) Assist young people to identify and access support and resources
Young people require information about resources and support at the times when they need it and in a way they can use. It is
important young people have the right access to services, resources and support to be able to manage difficult times in their lives.
3) Recognise and respond to the needs of vulnerable young people
Some young people in our community are vulnerable and require additional support to achieve their potential. It is important that
we identify early the needs of vulnerable young people who require additional assistance and ensure that support and resources
are available to meet their needs.
Health, Wellbeing and Support - Progress Indicators
1) Improve health outcomes for young people
2) Exceed Australian average in participation in sport and physical activity
3) Increase information for young people on health, wellbeing and support services
4) Increase the number of young people accessing health, wellbeing and support services
5) Improve early identification of vulnerable young people
6) Improve service delivery to vulnerable young people
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Priority 2 – Families and Communities
Introduction
Families play a crucial role in the lives of young people, providing them with physical, emotional and economic support. Research
has shown that children and young people who are raised in stimulating and nurturing environments have better outcomes
throughout life40.
How families interact, communicate, make decisions, solve problems and maintain relationships are all elements of the family
environment that influence young people’s heath and wellbeing. Family functioning can be affected by changes in family
circumstances, relationships between individual family members, the balance between parental employment and family life, and
other external stressors that may affect the home environment. The relationships that children and young people have with their
family, particularly their parents, are among the most important influences on development and psychological wellbeing41. There
are many benefits for children and young people living in strong and stable families, regardless of family type. These include
having positive role models for building relationships, the ability to cope with changing circumstances and stressful life events and
higher self-esteem42.
We know that young people are now more likely to be living with their parents than they used to be. In 2006, almost one in four
(23%) people aged 20–34 years were living at home with their parents, compared with 19% in 1986. Group houses were the most
common destination among people who left home before the age of 18, with 37% of men and 33% of women moving into a group
house when they first left home. Moving in with other family members or an unrelated family was also common among people who
left at this age (32% of men and 28% of women)43.
Some young people in our community are disconnected from their families and unable to live at home. In the ACT in 2007-08, the
number of young people aged 24 years and under who were clients of homelessness services was 850, representing 45.2% of the
total number of clients of ACT homelessness services44. The Australian Capital Territory had the largest proportion of support
periods for females presenting alone who were under 25 years old (18%)45.
Along with families, communities also play a crucial role in shaping children’s and young people’s health and wellbeing, with
strongly connected communities associated with positive outcomes for children and young people46.The school and community
contexts in which children and young people develop have a considerable influence over their health, development and wellbeing.
These environments set the foundations for children’s learning, behaviour and health over the course of their life.
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In 2006 there were 1061 young people aged 12 to 24 years who identified as Indigenous, living in the ACT47. Many of these young
people are involved in the Indigenous community through family support networks, cultural connections or events and mentoring
programs. Indigenous communities in the ACT play a significant role in supporting these young people.
Young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have strong communities in the ACT. Young people identified
in consultations that connecting with a new community is important when transitioning to a new country. Young people from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often face particular issues in accessing services and opportunities related to
language, culture and unfamiliarity with Australian systems.
There are many benefits in young people participating in community life. For young people, creating a sense of belonging and
strong connections to family and community improves young people’s wellbeing, educational outcomes and mental health.
Benefits for the community include a diverse range of outcomes such as a lower burden of disease, greater productivity, stronger
families and safer and more connected communities.
Young people have the right to feel safe in the public spaces they visit and the communities they are part of. Being a victim of
crime can be detrimental to a young person’s health, wellbeing, sense of security, safety and feelings about the future. Experience
of crime is central to issues of community safety in general and even more so for children and young people as the most vulnerable
members of society48.
Building a child and youth friendly city means that we will promote practical methods for improving our city in order to recognise and
reflect the needs of children and young people. This includes involving young people in the planning of our city, particularly public
space and amenities.
Young people want to contribute and participate in their community.
Young people want to feel safe in their community particularly whilst undertaking recreational activities, when travelling around the
city and at school.
Young people want appropriate housing where they feel safe and they want the right supports to live independently.
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“I want safer transport, bus interchanges and housing”
“I want to learn about my culture”
“I want more services in the area that I live in that cater for young people”
Goals
1) Support young people to foster positive relationships with family and significant others
Young people need to be able to explore and learn about relationships in a supportive and safe environment. Families are an
important key in achieving this goal but positive role models can also be found through other sources such as teachers, coaches,
youth workers and peers.
2) Assist young people to access flexible and responsive housing
Young people need access to affordable, appropriate and secure accommodation in order to establish independence and promote
their wellbeing.
3) Encourage young people to participate in and contribute to their communities
Young people contribute to their communities in many different ways. Young people should be supported and encouraged to
participate and contribute to their communities as it has many positive benefits for young people and communities.
4) Build on the strengths of our community and government to create a child and youth friendly city
A child and youth friendly city is a place where children and young people are recognised as partners and individual human beings,
right holders and equal, active citizens49. It is also a place where children and young people are provided with information to
participate and encouraged to become involved in issues that affect them. Young people’s views and experiences are respected,
listened to and taken into consideration in decision-making.
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Families and Communities – Progress Indicators
1) Increase in community participation by young people
2) Reduce the number of homeless young people
3) Raise the level of participation by young people in the planning of our city
Priority 3 – Participation and Access
Introduction
Participation of young people in education, training and employment enhances life opportunities for young people and provides
many social and economic benefits to our community. Young people participate in our community in a range of different ways,
including paid and voluntary work, fundraising, sport, recreation, culture and arts.
Young people also contribute to our community through expressing their views and ideas on policies and planning. This may take
a number of different forms such as participation in advisory groups and forums, through submissions made verbally or in writing or
via the use of technology. A child and youth friendly city is one that promotes active involvement by children and young people in
issues that affect them, listens to their views and takes them into consideration in decision-making processes.
We know that advances in information technology have changed the way young people learn and interact with their friends and
society50. Whilst there are varying levels of competence and confidence in the use of the internet among young people, the internet
is a space where many young people are comfortable participating:
You could make yourself anonymous so you wouldn’t be embarrassed to say anything. People tend to say more personal
things on line because they aren’t looking at the person.51
The internet is part of the everyday lives of Australian children and young people and is increasingly important to how they
socialise. Up to 97 percent of 16 to 17 year olds claim to use at least one social networking service. Most young people are using
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online technologies as a way to connect with their real world friends, with a small proportion, 17 percent of 12 to 17 year olds using
online social networking to build networks of new friends.52
As children age they spend more time online. Children aged 8 to 9 years use the internet for an average of over 1 hour every two
days. Young people aged 16 to 17 years average over 3 hours on the internet daily. Younger children are more interested in
individual activities online, such as playing games. By comparison, young people aged 12 to 17 years use the internet mainly for
social interaction, with 81 percent of 12 to 17 year olds nominating social networking as their main reason for going online.53
One of the risks associated with the greater use of technology by young people is the potential for inappropriate behaviour online
including bullying and harassment. More than a quarter of Year 8 Australian students report that they know someone who has
been cyber-bullied54.
Bullying and harassment involve a more powerful person or group oppressing a less powerful person or group, often on the
grounds of ‘difference’. These differences may relate to culture, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, ability or disability,
religion, body size and physical appearance, personality, age, marital status, parenting status or economic status.55
The experience of cyber-bullying increases with age from 1 percent of 8 to 9 year olds to 19 percent of 16 to 17 year olds surveyed.
Of those young people surveyed, 72 percent told their parents about the bullying, 5 percent knew how to block the bully’s
messages and less than 10 percent of children and young people admitted any involvement in cyber-bullying another person.56
Young people in the ACT have high education participation rates. The ACT leads Australia in the Year 12 attainment measure. In
2006, over 90 percent of ACT 20 to 24 year-olds had completed Year 12 or equivalent or gained at least an Australian
Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate II. This compares with a national figure of just over 80 percent.57
The ACT's labour force participation rate continues to be one of the highest of any Australian state or territory. There were 13,300
employed young people aged 15 to19 years, comprising 3,900 full-time workers and 9,500 part-time workers. Of these, 63 percent
(8,400 young people) also attended education institutions on a full-time basis. The 2006-07 ACT labour force participation rate for
people aged 15 to 19 years was 67 percent, compared with 60 percent for Australia.58
In 2006, 18 percent of the youth population in the ACT participated in unpaid voluntary work. Additionally, 70.7 percent participated
in sport, 57.5 percent visited a public library and 60 percent attended a museum or art gallery.59
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Young people require access to high quality education and training to develop skills and achieve their potential. Some vulnerable
young people require additional support to access education and training which meets their needs. Access to affordable public
transport is crucial to young people’s ability to participate through employment, education, sport, recreation and social activities.
All young people regardless of race, religion, disability, sexuality, cultural origin or geographical location across the ACT have the
right to access services and information relevant to their needs.
Young people want the right to choose which services they are able to go to for support and assistance. Young people want to
participate in decision-making that affects their lives. Young people want more information about where to go, what services are
available and how to access them.
“I would like the opportunity to be able to participate”
“I want to access the bus system on the weekends, public holidays and during school holidays with my school bus pass”
“I want to participate in programs that are going to teach me living skills and how to clean and budget”
Goals
1) Assist young people to participate in education, training and employment
Young people require access to education, training and employment in order to participate in the economic and social life of our
community.
2) Encourage young people to participate in building our community
Young people are supported and valued by ensuring they are able to have a say about issues that affect them. Young people are
encouraged to participate in building our community through voluntary work, fundraising, sport, recreation, culture and arts.
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3) Support young people to access information and services
Young people require information about available services and how to access them. Information needs to be accessible to young
people and relevant to their needs.
4) Promote the rights of young people
Young people’s rights are protected through raising rights awareness in the community and promoting respect for young people’s
rights. Young people need useful and accessible information about their rights and what action they can take if they believe their
rights have not been respected.
Participation and Access - Progress Indicators

1) Increase the proportion of young people who reach Year 12 or education equivalent
2) Improve information available to young people
3) Increase in access to services
4) Increase in information about young people’s rights available to young people and the community
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Priority 4 – Transitions and Pathways
Introduction
Young people make a number of key transitions including from primary to high school, from school to work and from home to
independent living. Some vulnerable young people face different types of transitions including transitioning from statutory care
systems.
Most young people respond well to the challenges of transitions, however, it is recognised that transitions are sometimes more
difficult for some young people because of vulnerability.
In 2007-08, 362 children were placed on child protection orders including interim and temporary orders. This included
71 young people aged 10 to 14 years (29.5%) and 14 young people aged 15 to 17 years (5.8%).60 In 2006-07 there were 258
young people under supervision orders with ACT Youth Justice.61 The highest proportion of supervision was for the 16 to 17 year
age group and 50 of the 258 young people identified as Indigenous.62
Young people also face developmental transitions when moving from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to
adulthood. The transitions that occur between the ages of 10 and 14 years for young people can increase their risk of becoming
vulnerable: moving from primary to secondary school, the onset of puberty, joining new peer groups and disconnecting from
previous friends, greater freedom and independence and increased independent mobility are some examples.63
Between the ages of 15 and 17 years transition challenges such as the increased focus on academic performance, pressure to
experiment with drugs and alcohol, heightened sexual activity, increasing dependence on peer groups and rejection of authority
can contribute to vulnerability64. Young people aged between 18 and 25 years may find pressures such as living independently,
furthering education, training or employment, access to transport including cars and driving, binge drinking, relationship and family
challenges as well as the onset of mental illness can contribute to their vulnerability.65
Some young people experience transitions in different ways and may face multiple transitions at any one time. This is particularly
evident for vulnerable young people such as young people with a disability, young people moving into their own housing or
supported housing, young people leaving the care and protection system and homeless young people.
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In 2003, it was reported that 249,300 young people in Australia aged 15 to 24 years had a disability. Of this group, 24 percent had
a ‘severe or profound core activity limitation’, indicating a need for either a high or moderate level of assistance with activities of
daily living (including self-care, mobility and communication)66. The main disabling conditions reported were ‘intellectual and other
mental disorders’ accounting for 20 percent of all disabling conditions. This category includes disorders such as ADHD, autism and
other learning disabilities.67
It is important for students to receive support throughout the key transition periods, between primary school and high school, and
high school and college. It is also important that young people find the right pathways to access co-ordinated support and services
which are responsive to their needs.
Young people want to have smooth transitions into housing, adult support services and from childhood to adolescence and from
adolescence to adulthood, particularly in the school environment.
Young people also want better transitions when leaving statutory care and supported accommodation.
“It would be good to have transitions that focus on young people exiting the care and protection system”
“I want better transitions when moving to independent living”
“I would like to be able to access youth services if I am over 18 or assistance to move to adult support services”
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Goals
1) Assist and support young people with transitions including housing, schooling, employment
Young people can be assisted and supported through formal and informal support networks including schools, youth organisations
and government and non-government services.
2) Support young people through developmental transitions by providing information and access to support services
It is important for young people to be able to access professionals who are able to provide support and information during
significant changes such as from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to adulthood. Information needs to be available
to those people who are supporting young people including family, friends and significant others.
3) Improve pathways for access to services and support
Young people need clear pathways to assist them to access services and support. This requires information being available for
young people in a way that they can access and use. It also requires collaboration and coordination between services.
Transitions and Pathways - Progress Indicators
1) Improve the assistance and support provided during transitions
2) Increase information available for young people about transitional services
3) Increase in information and support regarding developmental transitions
4) Improve coordination between government and non-government services
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Priority 5 – Environment and Sustainability
Introduction
Many young people are leading the way in regard to the environment and sustainability. Within the current Australian population,
environmental and climate concerns will have the most significant impact on young people as they have an interest in the success
of current and future initiatives.
In global terms, Australians enjoy an enviable quality of life. Our nation has a unique and diverse environment, social stability and
a strong democratic heritage and the resources for economic prosperity. However, there are many challenges which must be faced
now if we are to continue to prosper. Global issues including climate change, biodiversity loss, growth in population, poverty,
competition for finite resources, rapidly changing technology and geopolitical instability make the 21st century unique. An holistic
approach to decision-making is required for a community to be sustainable. In particular the interconnected nature of social,
economic and environmental issues needs to be recognised and acted upon.68
A sustainable community is one which enjoys:
• healthy ecosystems;
• social well-being and cohesion; and
• a prosperous economy.69
The ACT State of the Environment Report 2003 makes the following statement regarding sustainability, “The things that matter to
most people are human wellbeing and healthy living—clean air and water, safe food, individual and family security, health services,
adequate shelter, education and employment. In the ACT, these are currently accessible to the majority of the population for the
ACT to be sustainable we believe it must be able to continue to supply these basic needs to current generations without exhausting
natural resources or causing irreversible ecological damage, or reducing the options and opportunities open to future
generations.”70
An effective, sustainable transport system will maximise accessibility for all Canberrans, but particularly for young people given
their transport needs. To be more sustainable, Canberra’s future transport system will have a greater emphasis on active transport
modes such as walking and cycling and public transport.71
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Currently, cars provide the bulk of Canberra residents’ accessibility needs (83% of work trips), with relatively low use of public
transport, walking and cycling for work trips (7%, 4% and 2% respectively). Compared with the Australian average for travel to and
from work, Canberrans use their cars more, cycle more, walk about the same and use public transport less.72
Sustainability is an important issue for the Canberra community and there are many challenges to be faced including meeting
young people’s needs for high quality and affordable services, facilities, transport and accommodation. The community must
endeavour to meet these needs in an energy efficient way with a focus on reducing our carbon footprint.
Young people are aware of the need for affordable and sustainable housing, the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to
reduce and reuse water supplies. They want to sustain the environment for future generations.
While most greenhouse gas emissions are produced by industry, the amount and type of energy used by households also has
considerable implications for the environment. The average household produces about 14 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year,
much of it from energy use.73
Electricity is used by almost every Australian household and accounts for 85% of household greenhouse gas emissions.
Households in the Australian Capital Territory had the highest rate of GreenPower awareness (71%, including 5% who were paying
for GreenPower).74
Young people are enthusiastic about their future and want to live in a sustainable community where there is air quality, adequate
water supply and where recycling and reusing is common practice. Canberra has been facing a drought since 2001 and many
Canberrans, including young people, have been instrumental in reducing their use of water over this period.
The key challenge for the medium and long term is to build additional water supply assets that can cope not just with reduced
long-term average inflows into ACT dams, but with more frequent droughts which are longer and drier than that of 2001-2006,
without having to impose high level water restrictions for extended periods.75 On the basis of current population projections and per
capita consumption, existing water supply infrastructure is expected to meet demand until around 2020.76
Recycling for all types of waste in Australia has grown over the past 20 years, increasing by 825% between 1996-97 and 2002-03.
Recycling was most popular in the Australian Capital Territory where rates of total waste generated for recycling were 69% in
2002-03 followed by South Australia (63%) and Victoria (51%).77
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The vision of a waste-free society is unambiguous. A waste-free society is one which has adopted certain practices. In the No
Waste by 2010 Strategy, all "waste" that is generated will be transformed into a resource or stored until technology is available to
transform it into a resource.78
According to ACT Resource Recovery industries 75% of ACT waste was recovered while 25% went to landfill. This means that
192,313 tonnes of waste went to landfill in 2005-06. Recovery has increased every year for the last 6 years from 61% in 2000-01.79
Young people contribute to sustainability of our community and the environment through many activities such as planting trees to
improve air quality. They also promote sustainability and environmental initiatives in their own families and communities,
encouraging siblings and parents to recycle, reuse and be aware of the environment and the impact we have on it.
Young people have told us they care about their environment particularly as they enter adulthood and think about their futures.
They are concerned about the changing climate including the drought and its impact on nature and on the water supply for future
generations.
They are concerned about sustainable transport, particularly the public transport system. They also want to see sustainable and
environmental friendly housing being built in Canberra and to ensure appropriate water resources are incorporated into each new
dwelling such as water tanks and the use of grey water systems.
“There needs to be more research into renewable energy such as solar power and energy efficient houses”
“The current public transport options are the biggest issue that needs addressing to move towards sustainability”
Goals
1) Assist and support young people to raise awareness of the environment and sustainability
Young people’s interest and ideas regarding the environment and sustainability need to be supported and encouraged. Young
people demonstrate their ideas in a number of ways including volunteering; participating in conferences, seminars, government
decision-making and policy development; and through involvement in environment and sustainability organisations.
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2) Encourage young people to learn about their ecological footprint and the measures they can take to reduce this
Young people are keen to learn about the environment and how they as individuals impact on it. Young people learn about the
environment through school, volunteering and community organisations. Young people want to make an impact by reducing their
ecological footprint.
3) Support young people to be involved in decision-making regarding the environment and sustainability
Young people are encouraged to participate in decision-making which impacts on the environment and sustainability by becoming
involved in government and non-government organisations. Young people’s voices on the environment and sustainability need to
be heard in shaping ecological and renewable policies.
Environment and Sustainability - Progress Indicators
1) Increase in awareness and knowledge of environment and sustainability issues among young people
2) Increase in participation of young people in environment and sustainability issues
3) Government and non-government policy incorporates the views of young people
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Part 3 – Delivering the Plan

How will the plan be implemented?
Lead agency responsibility
The Office for Children, Youth and Family Support in the ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services has lead
responsibility for implementing the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 in collaboration with young people, stakeholders, service
providers, government agencies and the community.
Governance structure
A revised governance structure will be developed to provide strategic whole of government coordination of policies and services for
children and young people in the ACT. This revised governance structure will build on and expand the existing ACT Children’s
Plan Interdepartmental Committee in order to:
• build Canberra as a child and youth friendly city;

• progress common priorities and support developmental transitions for children and young people;
• ensure greater alignment and coordination between the ACT Children’s Plan and Young People’s Plan;
• promote overarching principles and best practice across government and the community;
• promote children’s and young people’s participation and involvement; and
• build on partnerships between government and the community.
The revised governance structure will include mechanisms for both senior executive government coordination through a Children
and Young People Taskforce and for community and consumer advice and partnerships.
It is anticipated that the Children and Young People Taskforce will establish its terms of reference and meet quarterly or bi-monthly.
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Two community advisory groups will be established as sub-committees of the Children and Young People Taskforce – one for
children and one for young people. These advisory groups will:
• provide advice to the Children and Young People Taskforce on the ongoing needs and issues of children and young people;
• assist with the implementation of the ACT Children’s Plan and Young People’s Plan; and
• facilitate coordination across non-government and community sectors.
Membership of the community advisory group for young people will be comprised of:
• two members of the Youth Advisory Council;

• young people selected from the youth sector;
• representatives from regional community services; and
• the peak body for the youth sector.
It is anticipated that each community advisory group will meet with the Children and Young People Taskforce bi-annually. The
Children and Young People Commissioner will also have a key role in providing advice to the Children and Young People
Taskforce.
Figure 2 represents the proposed governance structure for the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014.
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Figure 2: Governance structure for the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014
Minister for Children and Young People
Chief Executive DHCS
Children and Young People Taskforce
Community Community
Advisory Advisory
Group - Group -
Children Young People
Action plans
Within the first half of 2010, the Children and Young People Taskforce will be responsible for developing an action plan outlining
actions to be taken by government and non-government agencies to achieve goals specified in the Young People’s Plan
2009-2014. Annual action plans will be developed to review goals for each priority.
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How will we know the plan is making a difference?
Annual progress reports
As lead agency, the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services will produce an annual progress report detailing
progress made against priorities in the Young People’s Plan. The progress reports will be tabled by the Minister for Children and
Young People in the ACT Legislative Assembly each year.
Progress Indicators
Each priority has a number of identified progress indicators. These indicators will assist in telling us if the priorities are making a
difference in the outcomes and opportunities for young people in the ACT. Measures for each indicator will be reported in annual
progress reports. Progress indicators and measures may be changed or added to over time.
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Glossary for the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014

ABS means the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
ACTPLA means the ACT Planning and Land Authority, ACT Government.
AYF means the Australian Youth Forum, Australian Government.
Child means a person under 12 years of age, unless otherwise specified.
Children means people aged under 12 years of age, unless otherwise specified.
CIT means the Canberra Institute of Technology.
CMD means the Chief Minister’s Department, ACT Government.
COAG means the Council of Australian Governments.
DECCEW means the Department of Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water, ACT Government.
DET means the Department of Education and Training, ACT Government.
DHCS means the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services, ACT Government.
NYARS means National Youth Affairs Research Scheme.
OCYFS means the Office for Children, Youth and Family Support, Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services,
ACT Government.
TAMS means Territory and Municipal Services, ACT Government.
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UNICEF means the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Vulnerable young people means young people who, through a combination of individual, family and social circumstances, are at
risk of not realising their potential to achieve positive life outcomes.
YAC means the Youth Advisory Council.
Young people means people aged 12 to 25 years, unless otherwise specified.
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References
Access 23. Families and Communities: The context in which Australian children are growing up, Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare 2007
A Picture of Australia’s Children 2009. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cat. no. PHE 112
Australian Capital Territory’s Chief Health Officer’s Report 2008, ACT Department of Health
Australian Capital Territory in Focus 2007, Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Capital Territory Population Projections for Suburbs and Districts 2007-2019, ACT Chief Minister’s Department, 2009
Australia’s Environment Issues and Trends 2006, Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Social Trends, Australian Bureau of Statistics, June 2009
Australian Social Trends, Are Australians Using Renewable Energy, Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009
Building our Community: The Canberra Social Plan, ACT Chief Minister’s Department, ACT Government: Canberra, 2004
Census 2006, Australian Bureau of Statistics
Child Protection in Australia 2007-08, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Click and Connect – Young Australian’s Use of Online Social Media, Australian Communications and Media Authority, 2009
Convention on the Rights of the Child
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Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Young People and Mentoring: the case of Horn of African young people in Australia,
Report to the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme, 2008
Homeless people in SAAP: SAAP National Data Collection Annual Report 2005-06, Australia
Juvenile Justice in Australia, 2006-07 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Living Sustainably: The Australian Government’s National Action Plan for Education for Sustainability, 2009
Making progress: The Health, Development and Wellbeing of Australia’s Children and Young People 2008. Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare. Cat. no. PHE 104
Media Release, The Honourable Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Early Childhood, Education, Child Care and Youth, 2009
National Safe Schools Framework, Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA), Student
Learning and Support Taskforce, 2003
National Survey of Young Australians, Mission Australia, 2008
No Waste by 2010 Strategy, ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services
Overview of the ACT Transport System, ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services
Pathways to the Future – A consultation paper on increasing young people’s engagement in education, training and work,
ACT Department of Education and Training, 2008
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Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business: National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020, An initiative of the
Council of Australian Governments, Australian Government 2009
Rewriting the Rules for Youth Participation: Inclusion and Diversity in Government and Community Decision Making, Report to the
National Youth Affairs Research Scheme, 2008
State of the Environment Report, ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, 2003
Technical Paper on Operational Definitions and Data Issues for Key National Indicators of Children’s Health, Development and
Wellbeing. AIHW Working Paper. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cat. no. WP 59.
The Canberra Plan: Towards our Second Century, ACT Chief Minister’s Department, ACT Government, Canberra, 2008
The Early Years Study—three years later, from early child development to human development: enabling communities. McCain M
& Mustard JF 2002. Toronto: Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
The Sustainable Transport Plan, ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services, 2004
Think water, act water, A Strategy for Sustainable Water Resource Management, ACT Department of Environment, Climate
Change, Energy and Water, 2004
UNICEF: Building Blocks for Developing a Child Friendly City: A Framework for Action, 2004
UNICEF, www.childfriendlycities.org
Valuing all Young People: Submission to the Victorian Government on the Vulnerable Youth Framework discussion paper,
Brotherhood of St Laurence, September 2008
Vulnerable Youth Framework Discussion Paper – Development of a policy framework for Victoria’s vulnerable young people, 2008
Water2Water Consultation Strategy 2007. ACTEW AGL
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World Health Organisation 2009, Definitions, available at www.who.int/hac/about/definitions/en/
World Health Organisation, 1998
Young Australians: Their Health and Wellbeing 2007. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Cat. no. PHE 88
Young Carers: Their Characteristics and Geographical Distribution, Report to the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme, 2009
Young People (12-17 years) and Financial Debt, Report to the National Youth Affairs Research Scheme, 2008
ACT Legislation
Children and Young People Act 2008
Education Act 2004
Human Rights Act 2004
Legislation Act 2001
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Appendix 1: Submissions Index – Community Agencies

1. Multicultural Youth Services
2. Northside Community Service Inc
3. Catholic Education Office
4. Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT Inc
5. Woden Community Services
6. ACT Council of P & C Associations Inc
7. Ministerial Advisory Council on Women
8. Anglicare
9. Domestic Violence Crisis Service
10. Youth Coalition of the ACT
11. Mon Group
12. Children and Young People Commissioner
The ACT Government thanks the community members and agencies who provided valuable comments on the discussion paper.
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Appendix 2: Consultation forums facilitated by the Department of Disability, Housing and

Community Services
The following forums were conducted by the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services with young people
and community:
Demographic Where When

Messengers (Mental Health) - 25 young people Tuggeranong 19 June
Arts Centre 2009
CYCLOPS/Litmus Leadership Group (Young Carers) - 5 young people Youth in the 22 June
City 2009
Create Youth Advisory Group (Young People from the Care and Protection Belconnen 30 June
system) 5 young people Commercial 2009
Chambers
At Risk Young People aged 14-16 - 15 young people Tuggeranong 1 July
Youth Centre 2009
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people - 22 young Belconnen 6 July
people U-Turn 2009
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People - 27 Young People Gugan Gulwan 14 July
2009
Wreck Bay 17 July
2009
G-Club, Young People with Disabilities - 22 Young People Gungahlin 16 July
Community Centre 2009
Program for After School Studies (PASS), Young People from Multicultural or Theo Notaras 28 July
CALD backgrounds - 18 Young People Multicultural 2009
Centre
Open community forum – 8 community members Smith Family, 21 July
Woden 2009
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Appendix 3: Selected ACT Government Strategic Policy Frameworks Relevant to the

Development of the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014
The Canberra Plan: Towards our Second Century was launched in 2008 and builds on the original Canberra Plan by articulating
key directions for the city’s continued prosperity as we approach our second century. It also responds to new challenges since
2004. These include climate change, water security, housing affordability and skills shortages.
The Canberra Plan: Towards Our Second Century articulates the vision through seven strategic themes that reflect the ACT
Government’s priorities. The themes are:
• quality health care;

• a fair and safe community;
• excellent education, quality teaching and skills development;
• a strong, dynamic economy;
• a vibrant city and great neighbourhoods;
• a sustainable future; and
• high-quality services.
Building our Community: The Canberra Social Plan was launched in 2004, is an expression of the ACT Government's vision
that we become a place where all people reach their potential, make a contribution and share the benefits of our community.
The Plan includes seven priority areas:
• Economic opportunity for all Canberrans;

• Respect, diversity and human rights;
• A safe, strong and cohesive community;
• Improve health and well being;
• Lead Australia in education, training and lifelong learning;
• Housing for a future Canberra; and
• Respect and protect the environment.
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The Social Compact: A Partnership Between the Community Sector and the ACT Government was launched in 2004, and is
a statement of understanding about the relationship between the ACT Government and the community sector, providing a
framework for relations between the community sector and the ACT Government, articulating the principles of good communication
and partnership. It aims to continue to improve the working relationship for the benefit of people and communities in the ACT.
ACT Women’s Plan 2004-2009 The ACT Women’s Plan has been developed through the guidance of an inter-departmental
committee, in collaboration with the Ministerial Advisory Council on Women. It seeks to provide a framework through which to
focus strategies aimed at improving the quality of lives for all women and girls, particularly those who are isolated or marginalised.
The Plan has been structured around the following six objectives:
• representation and recognition;

• good health and wellbeing;
• responsive housing;
• safe inclusive communities;
• economic security and opportunities; and
• flexible education and training.
ACT Multicultural Strategy 2006-2009 provides a framework by which each ACT Government agency can be guided in its
response to issues identified by the multicultural community. The ACT Multicultural Strategy 2006-2009:
• sets out the key principles for a whole-of-government approach to fostering, promoting and sustaining cultural diversity in the
ACT;
• defines strategies that will give expression to the principles and themes that underpin the Multicultural Strategy;
• further develops a framework for ACT Government agencies to deliver services that are culturally appropriate for
Canberrans from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and
• provides an approach facilitating ACT Government agencies working across portfolio boundaries to achieve a shared goal
and an integrated government response to multicultural issues and ensuring accountability through annual reporting and
direct feedback from community consultation processes.
The key themes that form the basis of the ACT Multicultural Strategy 2006-2009 are:
• human rights;
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• access and equity;
• ageing and aged care issues;
• cultural and religious acceptance;
• language policy;
• leadership and governance;
• migration of parents;
• settlement services for newly arrived migrants;
• terrorism; and
• young people
ACT Skills Future: Key Initiatives in a Long Term Strategy to Address the Skills Challenge (ACT Skills Future) was
launched in 2008, and provides ACT Government initiatives to address the skills challenge by responding to some of the more
pressing skills shortages and setting a sustainable path towards long-term change. Key initiatives are:
• building networks between industry groups and Registered Training Organisations and Government Training Organisations;
• extending training to casuals and part time employees, with the ACT Government providing support by lobbying the
Australian Government for the extension of training subsidies;
• facilitating the development of shorter courses in licensed and non-licensed occupations, noting that there has already been
considerable action in this regard;
• supporting the group training of apprentices; and
• the adoption of private sector attraction and retention strategies, including improved access to childcare.
ACT Children’s Plan 2004-2014 guides decisions by government and non-government sectors about policies, programs and
services for children up to 12 years of age by providing opportunities to support them reach their full potential. The Plan
acknowledges that children are already active members of the Canberra community. Like The Canberra Plan, it reflects that our
community must strive to be a city for all ages and the priority to “invest in education is an investment in the future”.
The ACT Children’s Plan focuses on three key areas:
• Children now and in the future;

• Children and their families; and
• Children and their communities.
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ACT Children’s and Young People’s Justice Health Services Plan 2008-2012 identifies a framework for the management of the
health of children and young people in detention within the youth justice system. The Plan:
• defines the role of act health in providing for the health needs of detention residents;
• identifies key health needs of the current and expected populations of Bimberi Youth Justice Centre;
• identifies the services required to appropriately meet these needs;
• identifies best practice strategies for providing health care to detention residents;
• identifies linkages between government agencies and community services to assist in providing services for detention
residents; and
• proposes key performance indicators to monitor its implementation.
ACT Government Policy Framework for Children and Young People with a Disability and their Families provides a policy
framework for children and young people under the age of 18 who are living in the ACT and who have a disability that may require
additional support in recognition of their special needs and any particular forms of vulnerability arising from the impact of their
disability. The policy framework:
• provides a set of core principles that will underpin all services to children and young people with a disability and their
families, including those provided as universal services;
• provides clarity on the roles and responsibilities of agencies that provide services targeted at children and young people with
a disability and their families;
• provides guidance to agencies when a coordinated response to the needs of a particular child or young person with a
disability is required; and
• establishes the mechanisms to be utilised to ensure that there is joint planning to meet the future needs of children and
young people with a disability.
The Caring for Carers Policy was launched in 2003 and embodies the ACT Government’s commitment to better acknowledge
carers and address their needs. Core principles of the policy are:
• carers have the right to decide whether to take on or continue the carer role and are supported in their choices;
• the health and well being of carers is supported through services and programs that are flexible and responsive to individual
needs and circumstances;
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• resources are available to provide timely and adequate assistance to carers;
• affordable services of a high standard are available to people who need care, complementing the role of the carer;
• the critical contribution of carers is recognised, valued and promoted in the community;
• the carer and the person receiving care are regarded as a partnership, in which each person has rights and responsibilities;
and
• organisations welcome and support carer participation at all levels of decision-making, with respect for the rights and choices
of people receiving care.
Draft Multicultural Strategy 2009-2012 follows the initial policy document, the Multicultural Strategy 2006-2009. The current draft
Strategy was developed through the issues identified by community groups, individuals, government agencies and peak bodies at
the 2008 Multicultural Summit held on 30 August 2008. Through the 2008 Multicultural Summit, the ACT Government
demonstrated commitment to consultation with both leaders and grass-roots members of Canberra’s multicultural community
groups for the strategic direction of policies and programs pertaining to multicultural affairs.
Draft Building a Strong Foundation: A Framework for Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in the ACT 2009-2014
provides a framework to:
• guide a coordinated approach to the implementation and development of activities to promote mental health and wellbeing;
• prevent mental illness; and
• provide timely early intervention for those experiencing mental illness in the ACT.
Draft ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Strategy 2009-2012 aims to:
• improve the health and social well-being of individuals, consumers, families and carers, and the community in the ACT;
• minimise the harm in our community from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs while recognising the individual needs of all
citizens in the ACT;
• develop evidence-based policies and initiatives to ensure that issues associated with harmful alcohol, tobacco and other
drug use are addressed in an effective way; and
• implement the Strategy in a manner that respects, protects and promotes human rights.
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Draft ACT Mental Health Services Plan 2008-2013 is a strategic level document that gives broad direction for the future
development of public mental health services in the ACT. It has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders and has
been released to seek feedback from the broader ACT community. The Mental Health Services Plan covers the period 2008-2013
but conveys a vision for how mental health services will be delivered in the ACT in 20 years' time. A separate Implementation Plan
will be developed.
Draft Managing the Risk of Suicide Two: A Suicide Prevention Strategy for the ACT 2009-2014 builds on the work and
learnings of the 2005–2008 suicide prevention strategy and provides a collaborative and co-operative whole-of-community
approach to preventing suicide in the ACT. The specific objectives of the strategy are to:
• reduce the rates of suicide and self-harm in the ACT;

• improve the general well-being, resilience and connectedness of the ACT community to assist in protecting individuals
against adversity;
• ensure that people experiencing a suicidal episode have access to an accessible and timely integrated response, including
support for improved connection to family and community;
• increase the community’s awareness of and access to suicide prevention training, education, information and networking;
• increase the community’s awareness of and access to suicide prevention training, education, information and networking;
• identify specific at risk groups, risk and protective factors and interventions to support at risk groups; and
• provide a framework to guide the development of future suicide prevention initiatives.
Affordable Housing Action Plan released in 2007, identifies a framework to increase the supply of affordable housing in the ACT.
This strategy aims to support the supply of affordable housing and to ensure that all individuals, irrespective of circumstances, are
able to access accommodation suitable to their needs.
The Strategy adopted by the Government is to:
• Allow the housing market to operate as efficiently as possible through ensuring sufficient supply of land and stabilise house
prices in a period of growth;
• Maintain a planning and land release system that supports the delivery of an adequate supply of land and is responsive to
changing demand;
• Ensure competition in the market to deliver cost efficiencies;
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• Facilitate diversity in housing products and prices through the planning regime to deliver innovative, affordable house and
land packages;
• Facilitate growth in the community and not for profit housing sector and encourage shared equity;
• Make efficient and effective use of public housing assets;
• Support the delivery of adequate supplies of private rental properties to stabilise rental vacancy rates and prices; and
• Encourage industry cooperation in demonstration villages and estates and through advisory processes and through support
of projects that complement the Government’s affordable housing objectives.
Community Sector Funding Policy was launched in February 2004 and key elements include:
• Develop sub-sector plans (“Funding Plans”) consultatively and progressively;

• Develop and promote guidelines and provide professional development/ training opportunities for government and
community sector funding managers to improve: the negotiation of funding agreements (including timelines); the
quality/usefulness of data for planning and review processes; and overall performance management; and
• Develop and publish a framework to outline core pricing principles and revise/ update service agreements to reflect: the
specific nature and value of funded services; and clear and balanced accountability in the funding relationship.
The Sustainable Transport Action Plan 2010-2016 aims to provide the ACT with an efficient, accessible, sustainable and reliable
transport system. The policy framework will consider:
• Public Transport Strategy , including Public Transport Submission Form;

• Parking Strategy;
• Walking and Cycling Strategy;
• Transport Infrastructure Strategy; and
• Land Use and Urban Form (ACTPLA).
Capital Development – Towards our Second Century was released in 2008 and is the ACT Government’s plan to secure a
sustainable and prosperous future. It responds to the new challenges and opportunities, and is framed around the ACT
Government as a supporter of ACT economic potential and growth. Capital Development outlines our economic achievements of
the last five years, and presents an adaptive policy framework to guide the ACT Government’s economic policies into the future.
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Challenge 2014 – a 10 year vision for disability in the ACT, was released in 2004 and sets out a ten-year vision for disability in
the ACT and challenges the whole community, including Government, to take responsibility for effective change.
Challenge 2014 provides a framework for the wide-ranging changes that are needed through describing a vision for the future of
disability in the ACT. It embraces ideas such as citizenship and diversity. It recognises disability as part of life and the vulnerability
of all people to exclusion and rejection. It is based on the view that communities are richer when all members have the opportunity
to participate.
Your Guide to Engaging with the Community: ACT Government Community Engagement Manual; released in 2005 is an
ACT Government initiative which embodies a commitment from the ACT Government in The Social Compact to promote a spirit of
mutual understanding and guide community sector and government representatives to adopt processes and behaviour that value
the role, contribution and expertise of both sectors. The manual is a resource, providing a ‘how to’ guide which includes a
comprehensive set of tools and techniques to assist agencies when engaging with the community to reach the most desirable
outcomes for everyone concerned.
Towards a Sustainable Community Sector in the ACT, is a policy that looks at Investigating options for improving the operation
of industrial relations matters across the ACT community sector; measures to increase staff retention and sectoral capacity; and
strategies to improve the provision of information to the sector on ACT legislative requirements.
Future Directions: Towards Challenge 2014, will be comprised of a number of elements, which are currently being developed;
and will be the ACT Government’s policy framework to improve outcomes and opportunities for Canberrans who have a disability.
This Framework will guide priority areas for disability policy and service delivery in the ACT through to 2014 and seek to benefit all
people with disability in the ACT.
Confronting the Demographic Challenge - In 2008 the Government funded an ACT Demographer to produce demographic
modelling and research that would assist ACT agencies to efficiently plan and deliver services and infrastructure to the community.
ACT population projections were publically released in 2009. Future planned initiatives include studies in the ageing population
and developing ACT data quality.
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Appendix 4: Selected Australian Government Policies and Agreements Relevant to the

Development of the Young People’s Plan 2009-2014
National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020
The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 consists of high-level and supporting outcomes, strategies
to be delivered through a series of three-year action plans and indicators of change that can be used to monitor the success of the
National Framework. The actions and strategies that governments and others will take under the National Framework are all aimed
to achieve the following high-level outcome:
Australia’s children and young people are safe and well.
As a measure of this outcome, governments and the non-government sector have set the following target:
A substantial and sustained reduction in child abuse and neglect in Australia over time.
The supporting outcomes and strategies help to focus effort and actions under the National Framework in order to reach the
high-level outcome. The six supporting outcomes are:
• Children live in safe and supportive families and communities;

• Children and families access adequate support to promote safety and intervene early;
• Risk factors for child abuse and neglect are addressed;
• Children who have been abused or neglected receive the support and care they need for their safety and wellbeing;
• Indigenous children are supported and safe in their families and communities; and
• Child sexual abuse and exploitation is prevented and survivors receive adequate support.
Indicators of change are provided to measure the extent to which governments and non-government organisations are achieving
the supporting outcomes.
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National Partnership Agreement on Youth Attainment and Transitions
The National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions comprises a Compact with Young Australians which includes a
National Youth Participation Requirement, an entitlement to education or training places for 15 to 24 year olds and changes to
Youth Allowance (Other) and Family Tax Benefit (Part A) making education and training a precondition for these payments.
Specific areas of focus under the National Partnership include:
A Compact with Young Australians
The Compact comprises the National Youth Participation Requirement and an education and training entitlement.
(i) National Youth Participation Requirement
• The National Youth Participation Requirement will make it compulsory for young people to be engaged full time in education,
training or employment, or a combination of these. From 1 January 2010, the requirement will apply to all young people until
they turn 17.
• The National Youth Participation Requirement includes:
- a mandatory requirement for all young people to participate in schooling (meaning in school or an approved
equivalent) until they complete Year 10; and
- a mandatory requirement for young people that have completed Year 10, to participate full-time (defined as at
least 25 hours per week) in education, training or employment, or a combination of these activities, until age 17.
(ii) Education and Training Entitlement
• Young people aged 15-19 years will have an entitlement to an education or training place for any government-subsidised
qualification, subject to admission requirements and course availability.
• Young people aged 20-24 years will have an entitlement to an education or training place for any government-subsidised
qualification which would result in individual attaining a higher qualification, subject to admission requirements and course
availability.
• The entitlement was implemented on 1 July 2009 for 15-19 year olds and will be implemented by 1 January 2010 for 20-24
year olds.
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• The Youth Compact will be offered until 31 December 2011.
(iii) Strengthened conditions for welfare payments
• To support this new Compact the Australian Government has strengthened the conditions young people must meet to
receive Youth Allowance (Other).
• Anyone under the age of 20 without a Year 12 or equivalent qualification must be in education, training or employment (or a
combination of these) for 25 hours a week in order to receive youth allowance (Other).
• This same condition must be met if the parents of young people in the same circumstances wish to receive Family Tax
Benefit Part A.
Acceleration of the COAG Year 12 or Equivalent Attainment Target
• COAG agreed to bring forward the 90% Year 12 or equivalent attainment rate target to 2015. COAG also agreed to a 2015
interim target to halve the gap for Indigenous students’ Year 12 or equivalent attainment.
• Achievement of the target attainment rate will be assessed against an agreed participation rate target for 2010 and the
attainment rate target for 2012 and 2015.
• Trajectories will also be developed for reaching the COAG target to halve the gap for Indigenous students’ Year 12 or
equivalent attainment by 2020 with progress to be measured in 2015.
Australian Government Youth Career and Transitions Program Reform
• The current suite of Australian Government youth career and transition programs and initiatives are being consolidated and
streamlined to remove duplication and overlap and make services easier to access for young people.
• The new arrangements will be implemented under the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions.
• Under the National Partnership the Australian Government will work with the States and Territories to design and implement
$623 million (over 4 years) of services to support young people to stay engaged in education and training over the four years
to 31 December 2013.
• The new programs will initially be delivered by the Australian Government until the States and Territories achieve agreed
reform outcomes under the National Partnership. At this point the funding and responsibility will be transferred to the States
and Territories.
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Road Home: Homelessness White Paper and National Partnership on Homelessness
The Road Home: Homelessness White Paper sets the following goals:
• halve overall homelessness by 2020; and

• offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who need it by 2020.
To achieve this, the key interim targets for 2013 are:
• overall homelessness is reduced by 20 per cent;

• primary homelessness is reduced by 25 per cent; and
• the proportion of people seeking specialist homelessness services more than three times in 12 months is reduced by 25
percent.
To track progress, the following interim target for 2013 related to young people has been developed:
• The number of young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with improved housing stability and engaged with
family, school and work is increased by 25 per cent.
Under the National Partnership on Homelessness, State and Territory governments will implement a policy of ‘no exits into
homelessness’ from statutory, custodial care and hospital, mental health and drug and alcohol services for those at risk of
homelessness.
Under the National Partnership on Homelessness up to 9,000 young people aged between 12 and 18 years will be assisted by
early intervention and prevention programs delivered by state and territory governments in partnership with not-for-profit providers.
Other key strategies for young people include:
• Increasing the supply of affordable housing and delivering specialist accommodation for people who are homeless, including
the foyer model for homeless young people;
• Increasing the capacity of Centrelink social workers to work directly with young people under 18 years of age who have
applied for Youth Allowance (Unreasonable to Live At Home) and their families.
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Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage and National Indigenous Reform Agreement
Through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), governments have committed to six Closing the Gap targets to address
Indigenous disadvantage across urban, rural and remote areas. To support this work, COAG has also agreed to seven strategic
platforms or ‘building blocks’ as a means of meeting these targets:
• early childhood
• schooling
• health
• economic participation
• healthy home
• safe communities, and
• governance and leadership.
The evidence indicates that these are the areas requiring priority investment, and improvements in these areas will have the
greatest impact.
The National Indigenous Reform Agreement has been established to frame the task of Closing the Gap in Indigenous
disadvantage. It sets out the objectives, outcomes, outputs, performance indicators and performance benchmarks agreed by the
Council of Australian Governments (COAG). It also provides links to those National Agreements and National Partnership
agreements across COAG which include elements aimed at closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage.
In 2008, COAG reached agreement on a $4.6 billion program of targeted reform measures and national payments to address gaps
and shortfalls in existing Commonwealth, State and Territory initiatives. The $4.6 billion program of measures for National
Partnerships between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories in areas of key reform include:
• National Partnership on Indigenous Health Outcomes;

• National Partnership on Remote Indigenous Housing;
• National Partnership on Indigenous Early Childhood Development;
• National Partnership on Indigenous Economic Participation; and
• National Partnership on Remote Service Delivery.
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Appendix 5: Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 – Priorities, Goals and Progress Indicators
Priorities Goals Progress Indicators
Health, Wellbeing 1) Support young people to develop healthy • Improve health outcomes for young people
and Support lifestyles
• Exceed Australian average in participation in
2) Assist young people to identify and access sport and physical activity
support and resources
• Increase information for young people on
3) Recognise and respond to the needs of health, wellbeing and support services
vulnerable young people
• Increase number of young people accessing
health, wellbeing and support services
• Improve early identification of vulnerable

young people
• Improve service delivery to vulnerable young

people
Families and 1) Support young people to foster positive • Increase in community participation by young
Communities relationships with family and significant others people
2) Assist young people to access flexible and • Reduce number of homeless young people
responsive housing
• Raise the level of participation by young
3) Encourage young people to participate in and people in the planning of our city
contribute to their communities
4) Build on the strengths of our community and

government to create a child and youth friendly city
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Priorities Goals Progress Indicators
Participation and 1) Assist young people to participate in education, • Increase the proportion of young people who
Access training and employment reach Year 12 or education equivalent
2) Encourage young people to participate in building • Improve information available to young

our community people
3) Support young people to access information and • Increase in access to services

services
• Increase in information about young people’s
4) Promote the rights of young people rights available to young people and the
community
Transitions and 1) Assist and support young people with transitions • Improve the assistance and support provided
Pathways including housing, schooling, employment during transitions
2) Support young people through developmental • Increase information available for young
transitions by providing information and access to people about transitional services
support services
• Increase in information and support
3) Improve pathways for access to services and regarding developmental transitions
support
• Improve coordination between government
and non-government services
Environment and 1) Assist and support young people to raise • Increase in awareness and knowledge of
Sustainability awareness of the environment and sustainability environment and sustainability issues
2) Encourage young people to learn about their • Increase in participation of young people in
ecological footprint and how this can be reduced. environment and sustainability issues
3) Support young people to be involved in decision- • Government and non-government policy

making regarding the environment and sustainability incorporates the views of young people
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Appendix 6: Key ACT Government Strategies for Priorities and Goals

Priority 1 - Health, Wellbeing and Support
Goal Strategy Progress Responsibility
Support young Construction of Eddison Park Youth Plaza to To be implemented in 2009 Territory and
people to develop provide young people with a dedicated place Municipal Services
healthy lifestyles in the Woden Valley to exercise and (TAMS)
socialise whilst improving the quality of life
in the local community
Develop and implement programs that focus In progress ACT Health

on health, weight, physical activity and
healthy eating to children and young people
aged 0-16 years as part of the National
Partnership Agreement on Preventive
Health
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Support young The Every Chance to Learn – ACT The Department of Education and Department of
people to develop Curriculum Framework provides students Training is implementing a number of Education and
healthy lifestyles from preschool to year 10 with a projects including: Training (DET)
(contd) comprehensive and balanced curriculum • Action research values-based
which includes essential learning about projects running in 14 ACT schools;
health, lifestyle, considered decision- • A project developing values-based
making, forming good relationships, physical curriculum units began mid August
activity and emotional and physical 2009;
wellbeing • A health and wellbeing conference
in June 2009 was attended by 170
teachers;
• The second round of drug forum
grants to schools will be allocated
by the end of August 2009;
• Collaboration with Oxfam to support
professional learning and the
development of education units
promoting understanding of
migrants and refugees;
• 100 teachers attended a positive
physical education conference in
August 2009.
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Support young Get a Move On 2008-2010 and the In 2009, $64,000 in grants from the DET
people to develop Children’s Physical Activity Foundation - Children’s Physical Activity Foundation
healthy lifestyles $1.206m allocated over four years to has been distributed to 48 ACT primary
(contd) provide additional resources to support schools and three sport and recreation
physical education and sport in ACT public organisations
schools
Curriculum Requirements in ACT Public In 2008, three physical education DET

Schools, Preschool to Year 10 (2009) Policy consultants were appointed to work
and the Physical Education and Sport with teachers in the Get a Move On
(2009) Policy, requires schools to provide initiative. In 2009, the consultants are
mandatory time towards the delivery of assisting schools to implement the
physical education to ensure all students Curriculum Requirements in the ACT
from preschool to Year 10 are physically Public Schools, Preschool to Year 10
skilled and active (2009) and the Physical Education and
Sport (2009) policies
Undertake a feasibility study on the To commence in 2009-10 ACT Health

establishment of an ACT Centre for Youth
Health
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Support young Building a Strong Foundation: A Framework To be implemented in 2009 ACT Health
people to develop for Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing
healthy lifestyles in the ACT 2009-2014
(contd)
Assist young people Children’s Play Spaces Strategy – Draft Play Spaces Strategy and draft Territory and
to identify and incorporating a strategy to improve access Accessible and Inclusive Play Spaces Municipal Services
access support and and inclusion for children and carers with in the ACT Strategy being incorporated (TAMS)
resources disabilities into one document and currently being
finalised
ACT Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs To be implemented in 2009 ACT Health
Strategy 2009-2013
Develop Women’s and Children’s Hospital In progress ACT Health

at the Canberra Hospital 2012
Future Directions: Towards Challenge To be implemented in 2009 Department of

2014, Strategic Priorities 2009-2014, Disability, Housing
Strategic Priority 1, I want the right support, and Community
right time, right place Services (DHCS),
Disability ACT
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Recognise and Develop an overarching policy for culturally Draft model currently being developed Canberra Institute of
respond to the and linguistically diverse young people and for consultation Technology (CIT)
needs of vulnerable their families
young people
Implement the ACT Health Mental Health To be implemented in 2009 ACT Health
Services Plan 2009-2014
Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Ongoing ACT Health

& Family Wellbeing Plan 2006-2011
Children’s and Young People’s Justice Ongoing ACT Health

Health Services Plan 2008-2012
HIV Aids, Hepatitis C, Sexually Ongoing ACT Health

Transmissible Infections Strategic
Framework for the ACT 2007-2012
Managing the Risk of Suicide Two: An To be implemented in 2009 ACT Health

Extension Strategy 2009-2014
Development of the Aboriginal Justice In progress Department of

Agreement Justice and
Community Safety
(JACS)
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Recognise and Review of Youth Support Program to ensure In progress DHCS

respond to the the needs of vulnerable young people are
needs of vulnerable met through community organisations
young people
(contd)
The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2009- Expert literacy and numeracy field DET
13, announced in June 2009, has been officers are currently being recruited to
developed to support literacy and numeracy work intensively in one school for a 12
leadership and teaching and learning in ACT month period
public schools over the next five years
The ACT Department of Education and Implementation is ongoing DET
Training Plan for Aboriginal And Torres
Strait Islander Student Achievement outlines
the combined strategies designed to enable
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
students to reach their full potential
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Priority 2 – Families and Communities
Support young ACT Government Policy Framework for Interdepartmental Committee and Department of
people to foster Children and Young People with a Disability Community Reference Group Disability, Housing
positive and their Families engaged. Disability ACT operational and Community
relationships with policy in development Services (DHCS)
family and
significant others
Family Support Program – DHCS provides Ongoing DHCS
funding to 25 programs to provide
assistance to families
Assist young people Affordable Housing Action Plan The Affordable Housing Action Plan Chief Minister’s
to access flexible has enabled the record release of Department (CMD)
and responsive residential land and stamp duty and DHCS
housing concessions, an injection of $40m and
$50m into community housing, loan
facilities and new efficiencies in public
housing. A Foyer housing model is to
be introduced to provide housing for
young people aged 16 to 25 which will
deliver assistance to young people at
risk of homelessness, supporting them
with employment and training goals,
and providing guidance to assist them
to live independently
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Assist young people Future Directions: Towards Challenge To be implemented in 2009 DHCS, Disability
to access flexible 2014, Strategic Priorities 2009-2014, ACT
and responsive Strategic Priority 1, I want the right support,
housing (contd) right time, right place
Housing Young People Pilot to expand In progress DHCS
Children and Public Housing Project Draft report finalised DHCS
Encourage young Celebrate in the Park – this event includes Ongoing – this event is part of the CMD
people to entertainment specifically targeted at young celebrate Canberra festivities held in
participate in and people March each year
contribute to their
communities
Future Directions: Towards Challenge To be implemented in 2009 DHCS, Disability
2014, Strategic Priorities 2009-2014, ACT
Strategic Priority 2, I want to contribute to
my community
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Build on the ACT planning to incorporate the principles of To be implemented ACT Planning and
strengths of our child-friendly planning promoted by UNICEF Land Authority
community and into ACT planning guidelines (ACTPLA)
government to
create a child and
youth friendly city
Implementation of the Spatial Plan will Ongoing ACTPLA
create a sustainable, compact city and
healthy community that is safe, active,
provides choice in housing and ensures
access to facilities
Centenary of Canberra Program Events and projects will be planned CMD

which incorporate youth focussed
activities. In July 2009 the results of
the C100 Youth Survey identified how
young people wanted to celebrate the
centenary. This information will be
used to inform the planning of projects
and events
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Build on the Multicultural Strategy 2009-2012 – Focus To be implemented in 2009 DHCS

strengths of our Area 2 Children and Young People, to
community and provide opportunities for children and young
government to people of CALD backgrounds to reach their
create a child and full potential by making Canberra a child and
youth friendly city youth friendly city
(contd)
DET provides specific policies on Safe Ongoing Department of

Schools, Countering Racism in ACT Public Education and
Schools, Countering Bullying, Harassment Training (DET)
and Violence in ACT Public Schools,
Countering Sexual Harassment in ACT
Public Schools, Suspension, Exclusion and
Transfers in ACT Public Schools. It also
provides a range of programs and initiatives
to facilitate a safe and supportive school
environment
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Build on the Schools continue to implement the National Ongoing DET

strengths of our Safe Schools Framework which assists
community and them address bullying, violence,
government to harassment, and child abuse and neglect
create a child and
youth friendly city
(contd)
DET chairs a Safe Schools Taskforce of key Ongoing DET

stakeholders to provide advice on safety
issues in schools
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Priority 3 – Participation and Access
Assist young people Implement the Council of Australian During 2009, the ACT has progressed Department of
to participate in Government’s (COAG) agenda under the involvement in the National Partnership Education and
education, training National Partnership Agreement on Youth Agreement on Youth Attainment and Training (DET)
and employment Attainment and Transitions Transitions. Further work will be
undertaken to finalise plans by the end
of 2009
The Education Amendment Bill 2009

will be introduced to the ACT
Legislative Assembly with a view to
implement the policy from 2010
The 2008-2009 Budget initiative - Equity in Increased funding is ensuring all DET
Student Learning: Students with a Disability students continue to receive the level
- provided additional funding of $1.612 of support they need to access and
million over four years to meet the needs of participate in their educational program
increasing numbers of students with a
disability in ACT public schools, including
the growing number of students with very
complex needs
The Trade Training Centres and the During 2009, the ACT has progressed DET
Productivity Places National Partnerships involvement in these two National
under COAG support opportunities for Partnerships. The development of
young people to access training implementation plans is in progress
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Assist young people ACT Skills Future: Key Initiatives in a Long Two areas focus on young people: DET and Canberra
to participate in Term Strategy Address the Skills Challenge Institute of
education, training (ACT Skills Future) 1) supporting apprentices; and Technology (CIT)
and employment 2) support young people during
(contd) transitional stages of education,
training and employment to
maximise educational attainment
outcomes and increase
opportunities to be engaged in the
workforce
Progress in these areas will be

reported in the 2009-10 ACT Skills
Future Progress Report.
The 2008-2009 Budget initiative - Equity in Increased funding is ensuring all DET
Student Learning: Students with a Disability students continue to receive the level
- provided additional funding of of support they need to access and
$1.612 million over four years to meet the participate in their educational program
needs of increasing numbers of students
and young children with a disability in ACT
public schools, including the growing
number of students with very complex
needs
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Assist young people A review of special education provision in A report is expected to be released in DET
to participate in ACT schools October 2009
education, training
and employment
(contd)
Encourage young Youth InterACT Strategy – young people Ongoing Department of

people to participate in a number of strategies Disability, Housing
participate in including Youth Advisory Council, youth and Community
building our website, youth consultation register, Young Services (DHCS)
community Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards, youth
scholarships and grants and an annual
conference
Future Directions: Towards Challenge To be implemented in 2009 DHCS

2014, Strategic Priorities 2009-2014,
Strategic Priority 3, I want to socialise and
engage in the community
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Encourage young Disability Awareness Project In development - Focus groups DHCS

people to comprising young people to be
participate in coordinated
building our
community (contd) The ACT Youth Advisory Council have
been consulted during the
development of strategic directions
Support young Future Directions: Towards Challenge To be implemented in 2009 DHCS

people to access 2014, Strategic Priorities 2009-2014,
information and Strategic Priority 4, I want to know what I
services need to know
The 2008-09 Budget provided $2.378 million In 2009, fourteen additional executive DET
over three years to Quality Teaching to teachers are working intensively with
improve student learning outcomes by teachers to implement the Quality
enhancing the quality of teaching in ACT Teaching model
public schools. The policy aligns with the
Twenty-two scholarships were funded
goals of the National Education Agreement
for teachers in the Graduate Certificate
and the National Partnerships on Improving in Educational Studies (Pedagogy)
Quality Teaching, Literacy and Numeracy through Newcastle University, with its
and Low Socio-economic Status School particular focus on the Quality
Communities, under the Council of
Teaching model. Curriculum officers
Australian Governments (COAG) and school-based teachers attended
the University of Newcastle Pedagogy
in Practice conference in July 2009
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Promote the rights A Charter of Rights for Carers in the ACT To be completed by 2010 DHCS
of young people will be developed, to acknowledge their
valuable role in our community
Continue to implement the Children and Ongoing DHCS

Young People ACT 2008 and related
legislative changes
Develop and implement a Charter of Rights To be implemented in 2010 DHCS

for Children and Young People in Care
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Priority 4 – Transitions and Pathways
Assist and support Strengthen and position CIT Vocational Being implemented Canberra Institute of
young people with College as a preferred alternative school Technology (CIT)
transitions including pathway in the ACT
housing, schooling,
employment
Implement CIT and ACT Government Being implemented CIT
Colleges Collaborative 2009-2010 Plan
Strengthen and position CIT Yurauna Being implemented CIT

Centre as an alternative learning place for
Indigenous young people
Implementation of the Australian Schools To be implemented in 2010 Territory and
Based Apprenticeships in the sport and Municipal Services
recreation industry from 2010 (TAMS)
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Assist and support ACT Skills Future: Key Initiatives in a Long Two areas focus on young people: Department of
young people with Term Strategy Address the Skills Challenge Education and
transitions including (ACT Skills Future) • supporting apprentices; and Training (DET) and
housing, schooling, • support young people during CIT
employment (contd) transitional stages of education,
training and employment to
maximise educational
attainment outcomes and
increase opportunities to be
engaged in the workforce.
Progress in these areas will be

reported in the 2009-10 ACT Skills
Future Progress Report.
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Assist and support Implement the Council of Australian During 2009, the ACT has progressed DET
young people with Government’s (COAG) agenda under the involvement in the National Partnership
transitions including National Partnership Agreement on Youth Agreement on Youth Attainment and
housing, schooling, Attainment and Transitions Transitions. Further work will be
employment (contd) undertaken to finalise plans by the end
of 2009
The Education Amendment Bill 2009

will be introduced to the ACT
Legislative Assembly with a view to
implement the policy from 2010
The ACT Government is working with the The Compact for 15-19 year olds is DET and Australian
Australian Government to implement the effective from 1 July 2009 Government
Compact with Young Australians.
The Compact for 20-24 year olds is
effective from 1 January 2010
Moving Forward with English as a Second ESL staffing projections are DET
Language. This initiative will provide an determined through the ESLO census
additional eight teachers to improve learning in August each year. The additional
outcomes for ESL students, increasing the positions will increase the level of
number of ESL students who can receive support to students in 2010
targeted additional support
Breakthrough 500 supports the annual Ongoing DET
target of 500 Australian School-based
Apprenticeships across the ACT
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Assist and support In Term 2 2009, public schools were DET

The 2009-10 Budget provided an additional
young people with given the opportunity to host one
$1.454m over four years to employ up to
transitions including ASBA. In this first round, 65 schools
100 new Australian School-based
housing, schooling, expressed interest in hosting an ASBA
Apprentices (ASBA) in schools and the
employment (contd) central office of the Department each year
through established group training
arrangements
All colleges have a transitions officer in DET

The 2008-09 Budget provided $3.4 million
place
over four years to place one additional full
time equivalent teacher into each ACT
public college. This targeted staffing is
assisting in facilitating the transition of
students into and out of the college sector
and improving students’ access to careers
programs and vocational learning
The Trade Training Centres and the During 2009, the ACT has progressed DET
Productivity Places National Partnerships involvement in these two National
under COAG support opportunities for Partnerships. The development of
young people to access training implementation plans is in progress
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Support young ACT Children’s Plan 2004-2014 The ACT Children’s Plan is being Department of
people through reviewed and a revised Plan will be Disability, Housing
developmental released in December 2009 and Community
transitions by Services (DHCS)
providing
information and
access to support
services
Improve pathways Student Pathways Planning-Students Pastoral Care Coordinators, School DET
for access to participate in planning to identify personal Counsellors, Youth Workers and
services and and educational pathways and review their Career Advisors placed in every public
support choices as they progress through school high school assist students to develop
and revise their student pathways
A Transitions Working Party has been
plans
established to assist students at key
transition points
Curriculum officers are working with
schools to assist them develop
curriculum and programs to assist
students effectively move between
primary school and high school and
high school and college.
The Future Pathways Guide 2007 is a Ongoing DET
transition guide to assist ACT students with
a disability make decisions and plans for life
after school. Schools work with students and
their families, Disability ACT, employers,
apprenticeship coordinators and service
providers to implement post school plans
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Priority 5 – Environment and Sustainability
Assist and Support Sustainable Future Planning Program is a Six workshops held and policies to be ACT Planning and
young people to program to review planning policies integrated into the Territory Plan Land Authority
raise awareness of (ACTPLA)
the environment
and sustainability
Implementation of the Spatial Plan will Ongoing ACTPLA

create a sustainable, compact city and
healthy community that is safe, active,
provides choice in housing and ensures
access to facilities
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Assist and support Community Partnerships Funding Initiative Service agreements being negotiated Department of
young people to – funding to support the operation of the Environment,
raise awareness of Conservation Council ACT Region, ACT Climate Change,
the environment Sustainability and Environment Resource Energy and Water
and sustainability Centre and SEE Change ACT for the next (DECCEW)
(contd) four years. Target audience for programs
to be delivered by these organisations
includes young people
Capital Development – Towards our Ongoing Chief Minister’s

Second Century – the Government’s Department (CMD)
strategy to build a strong, more dynamic
and sustainable ACT economy
People, Place, Prosperity – the Ongoing CMD
Government’s overarching sustainability
policy which expresses the commitment to
providing for people, protecting our place
and creating prosperity both now and into
the future
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Assist and support An Infrastructure Plan for the ACT, which Ongoing CMD
young people to outlines current infrastructure priorities and
raise awareness of drivers of future demand, and commits the
the environment Government to strengthening planning and
and sustainability delivery of infrastructure investment
(contd) through the development of a
comprehensive ACT Infrastructure Plan
Encourage young To develop and implement a CIT The Charter was launched in June 2009 Canberra Institute of
people to learn Environmental Sustainability Charter and will now be strategically promoted Technology (CIT)
about their across CIT and the broader ACT
ecological footprint community
and the measures
they can take to
reduce this
Think Water, ACT Water Strategy First 5 years of the strategy completed DECCEW
on 1 August 2009. 2009-09 report will
include results against actions and
outputs for 5 years of the strategy
99
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Encourage young The Australian Sustainable Schools AuSSI ACT has been available to all DECCEW in
people to learn Initiative ACT (AuSSI ACT) aims for ACT schools since 2007. Over 75% of collaboration with
about their schools to reduce their ecological footprint. ACT schools participate in the initiative. Department of
ecological footprint AuSSI ACT works with schools to reduce This compares favourably with the Education and
and the measures energy and water consumption, waste national average of 25%. Training and
they can take to going to landfill and supports schools to Catholic Education
reduce this (contd) increase biodiversity in the school grounds Assessment of AuSSI schools has Office
commenced and results indicate that
AuSSI ACT support the aim of Weathering some schools have reduced energy
the Change the ACT climate Change consumption by 35-45%, water
Strategy, for ACT Schools to be carbon consumption by 40-50% and waste to
neutral by 2017 landfill by 65-70%.
All AuSSI ACT Schools are working

through AUSSI ACT best practice
guides to reduce their ‘ecological
footprint’
100
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Encourage young Where Will We Play – commitment to Ongoing Territory and
people to learn ensure that no outdoor sporting facility is Municipal Services
about their totally reliant on potable water for its (TAMS)
ecological footprint continuing operations by 2013
and the measures
they can take to
reduce this (contd)
Support young Sustainable Transport Action Plan Introduction of a smart card ticketing TAMS (ACTION)
people to be system on ACTION buses including
involved in the provision of free smartcards to
decision-making school and tertiary students. The new
regarding the system will significantly improve
environment and service planning. System due to
sustainability commence in the second half of 2010
Caring for Country Initiative – ACT Projects being finalised DECCEW

Government Complementary Investment
2009-10 and 2010-11 – engaging young
people in natural resource management
through practical activities linked to
curriculum
101
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Support young Environmental Protection Heritage Council – Ongoing TAMS
people to be ACT Government is participating in the
involved in Council which is considering Ewaste as part
decision-making of the National Waste Policy of Australia and
regarding the through Produce Stewardship arrangements
environment and
sustainability
(contd)
102
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Endnotes
1 Pathways to the future: A consultation paper on increasing young people’s engagement in education, training and work, 2008
2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008. Making progress: the health, development and wellbeing of Australia’s children and young people. Cat. no. PHE 104. Canberra: AIHW.
3 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. A picture of Australia’s children 2009. Cat. no. PHE 112. Canberra: AIHW.
7 Brotherhood of St Laurence, Valuing all young people: Submission to the Victorian Government on the Vulnerable Youth Framework discussion paper, September 2008; Victorian Government,
Vulnerable Youth Framework discussion paper: Development of a policy framework for Victoria’s vulnerable young people, Department of Human Services, 2008.
8 ABS Census 2006
9 Australian Capital Territory’s Chief Health Officer’s Report 2008, ACT Health
16 Australian Capital Territory’s Chief Health Officer’s Report 2008, ACT Health.
17 Homeless People in SAAP: SAAP National Data Collection annual report 2007-08
18 ABS Census 2006
19 ABS Census 2006
20 ABS Census 2006
21 ABS Census 2006
22 ACT Population Projections for Suburbs and Districts 2007 -2019: ACT Government Chief Ministers Department 2009
23 National Survey of Young Australians 2008, Mission Australia
25 ABS Census 2006
27 ‘Child’ in the Human Rights Act 2004 takes its meaning from the Legislation Act 2001 – ‘an individual who is under 18 years old’ – Dictionary Part 1.
103
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
28 UNICEF, www.childfriendlycities.org
29 UNICEF, www.childfriendlycities.org
30 World Health Organisation 2009, Definitions, available at www.who.int/hac/about/definitions/en/ (accessed 13/8/2009).
31 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2007. Selected highlights. Cat. No. PHE88. Canberra: AIHW (page 2); Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare 2008. Making progress: the health, development and wellbeing of Australia’s children and young people. Cat. no. PHE 104. Canberra: AIHW (page 31).
32 Media Release, The Hon Kate Ellis MP Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, 12 August, 2009, previewing State of Australia’s Young People Report 2009
34 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2007. Selected highlights. Cat. No. PHE88. Canberra: AIHW (page 2)
35 Australian Capital Territory’s Chief Health Officer’s Report 2008, ACT Health.
36 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. A picture of Australia’s children 2009. Cat. no. PHE 112. Canberra: AIHW (page 1).
38 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2007. Selected highlights. Cat. No. PHE88. Canberra: AIHW (page 2);
39 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2007. Selected highlights. Cat. No. PHE88. Canberra: AIHW (page 2).
40 McCain & Mustard 2002; Zubrick et al. 2000 in Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. A picture of Australia’s children 2009. Cat. no. PHE 112. Canberra: AIHW. Pg 8.
41 Shonkoff and Phillips 2000. in Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Access 23. Families and Communities: The context in which Australian children are growing up. Pg 15.
42 Geggie et al. 2000; Shek 2002 in Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. A picture of Australia’s children 2009. Cat. no. PHE 112. Canberra: AIHW. Pg 84
43 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4102.0 – Australian Social Trends, June 2009. Pg 26
44 Homeless people in SAAP: SAAP National Data Collection annual report 2007-08
45 Homeless people in SAAP: SAAP National Data Collection annual report 2005-06, Australia. Pg 34.
46 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. A picture of Australia’s children 2009. Cat. no. PHE 112. Canberra: AIHW. Pg 83
47 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Data 2006.
48 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008. Making Progress: the health, development and wellbeing of Australia’s children and young people. Cat. No. PHE 104. Canberra: AIHW. Pg 28.
49 UNICEF, Building Blocks for Developing a Child Friendly City: A Framework for Action, 2004. Pg 8
50 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008. Making progress: the health, development and wellbeing of Australia’s children and young people. Cat. no. PHE 104.Canberra: AIHW (page 4).
51 National Youth Affairs Research Scheme, Rewriting the Rules for Youth Participation: Inclusion and Diversity in government and community decision-making, 2008, pg 154
52 Click and Connect – Young Australians' Use of Online Social Media, 2009
54 Media Release, The Hon Kate Ellis MP Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, 12 August, 2009, previewing State of Australia’s Young People Report 2009
55 National Safe Schools Framework 2003
104
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
57 ACT Department of Education and Training 2008, Pathways to the Future – A consultation paper on increasing young people’s engagement in education, training and work, Department of
Education and Training. Canberra: ACTDET (page 2-3).
58 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2007, Australian Capital Territory in Focus 2007. Canberra: ABS (page 135).
59 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006, Census 2006. available at www.abs.gov.au
60 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Child Protection in Australia, 2007-08, Cat. No. CWS 33
61 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Juvenile Justice in Australia, 2006-07, Cat. No. Juv 4. Pg 32
62 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Juvenile Justice in Australia, 2006-07, Cat. No. Juv 4. Pg 24.
63 Vulnerable Youth Framework Discussion Paper – Development of a policy framework for Victoria’s vulnerable young people. Pg 13
64 Vulnerable Youth Framework Discussion Paper – Development of a policy framework for Victoria’s vulnerable young people. Pg 13.
65 Vulnerable Youth Framework Discussion Paper – Development of a policy framework for Victoria’s vulnerable young people. Pg 13.
66 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2007. Selected highlights. Cat. No. PHE88. Canberra: AIHW. Pg 4.
67 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2007. Selected highlights. Cat. No. PHE88. Canberra: AIHW. Pg 4.
68 Living Sustainably: The Australian Government’s National Action Plan for Education for Sustainability, 2009
69 Living Sustainably: The Australian Government’s National Action Plan for Education for Sustainability, 2009
70 ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, 2003, State of the Environment Report
71 The Sustainable Transport Plan, released in 2004
72 Overview of the ACT Transport System, Territory and Municipal Services
73 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Social Trends, 2009, Are Australian’s Using Renewable Energy
74 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Social Trends, 2009, Are Australian’s Using Renewable Energy
75 Water2Water Consultation Strategy 2007
76 Water ACT, Think Water, Water Policy
77 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia’s Environment Issues and Trends 2006
78 No Waste by 2010 Strategy
79 Australian Capital Territory in Focus 2007, Australian Bureau of Statistics
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DRAFT Young People’s Plan 2009—2014

Message from the Minister

Andrew Barr MLA

How to tell us what you think

All comments and submissions received will be publicly available at www.dhcs.act.gov.au.

Comments may be mailed to:

Comments may be emailed to: submissionsocyfs@.act.gov.au or to youthinteract@act.gov.au.

Comments or inquiries may be made by telephoning: 02 6205 4369.

1. Health, wellbeing and support;

Where have we been?

• invest in children and young people;

The Commitment to Young People

The objectives of the Commitment to Young People were:

The Blueprint for Young People

Part 1 – Listening and Developing

The vision for the Young People's Plan 2009-2014 is that:

The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 aims to:

The Young People’s Plan 2009-2014 is guided by the following principles:

• Young people are valued members of the community;

• Young people’s strengths are recognised and respected;

• To proactively support vulnerable young people in the ACT;

• To focus on prevention and early intervention measures;

• Prevention and early intervention;

• Child-centred, family and community focused;

• Collaborative and well coordinated;

• Strengths-based and inclusive; and

• Evidence-based and accountable.

Who is the Young People’s Plan for?

Why do we need a Young People’s Plan?

• quality secondary and post-school education;

Indicators of vulnerability for young people are broad and include:

• Experience of abuse, neglect, conflict or violence within the family;

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people;

Who are the Territory’s young people?

Health and Wellbeing

Activity, Diet and Lifestyle

Alcohol and Drug Use

Families and Communities

Housing and Homelessness

In the ACT in 2006:

1. North Canberra 11400 12450 9.2%

Total 76950 76100 -1.1%

Transitions and Pathways

In the ACT in 2007:

Indigenous Male Indigenous Female Indigenous % total Total

Environment and Sustainability

What is important to the Territory’s young people?

• Young Carers: their characteristics and geographical distribution;

The key findings from the consultation process were:

Health, Wellbeing and Support

Participation and Access

Transitions and Pathways

Environment and Sustainability

Where are we now?

ACT Legislative Context

ACT Policy Context

ACT Children’s Plan and a Child and Youth Friendly City

• Children now and in the future;

• The Canberra Plan: Towards our Second Century, launched in 2008;

Australian Government Policy Context

Part 2 – Investing in Young People

1. Health, Wellbeing and Support;

Each priority has a number of goals and identified progress indicators.

Priority 1 – Health, Wellbeing and Support