Children, youth and families

Our submission focuses on prevention and early intervention and diversionary approaches to youth justice in Tasmania. While we recognise that some young people may be involved in repeat offending, we believe that investment in the youth justice system should be weighted towards prevention, early intervention, diversion and targeted intervention.

Mission Australia is supportive of the ‘towards zero’ approach adopted by the Plan. However, to be successful it needs to more seriously tackle the issues of housing and economic security that are so closely inter-related to domestic and family violence and determine many of the risks and outcomes for women and children.

Our submission highlighted among other things the need to align and harmonise the compliance requirements with pre-existing frameworks at the national level in terms of content, timing and reporting requirements to prevent duplication.

This submission highlighted the survey findings based of young people in Victoria from Mission Australia’s 19th annual Youth Survey Report. It also highlighted the COVID-19 Recovery Plan for Young People in Victoria developed by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria.

This submission highlighted the ongoing need for additional prevention and early intervention services, intersection between child protection and other social service systems and to extend the age of young people leaving out-of-home care to 21 years. We supported the recommendations made by FAMS, NSW peak advocacy body for children, young people, families and communities.

Mission Australia’s submission to the Inquiry into the WA Children and Community Services Amendment Bill 2019 advocates for strengthening the requirements of the rights of children to be involved in decisions that affect their life; for more consideration to be given to requirements that will minimise their risk of further harm and maximise opportunities to improve their wellbeing; and to contribute towards improved outcomes for young people leaving care.

Our submission to the Federal Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs focused on the increase in domestic and family violence, especially in the context of COVID 19, highlighted housing and homelessness related issues that victim-survivors experience and the need for urgent action to holistically address family, domestic and sexual violence related issues.

Our submission highlighted the findings from a range of Mission Australia Youth Survey reports, experience from service delivery and experiences of young people to demonstrate the need for more holistic, wrap around supports for young people to smoothly transition from education to employment. It also focused on the need for young people to have a say in decision making processes, service design and implementation.

The submission to Child Development Council on the proposed outcomes framework for children and young people in South Australia. The submission highlighted some of the areas a future framework should focus on to obtain a clear picture of the needs of children and young people in South Australia.

Mission Australia’s response to the NSW government’s ‘Their Future Matters’ access system redesign discussion paper. We welcome the opportunity to make a submission in relation to moving the system from crisis to early help: connecting children, young people and families to the right supports at the right time.

Mission Australia made a submission to the 10 year strategy for reducing family and domestic violence in WA conducted by the Department of Communities. The submission focused heavily on family and domestic violence service provision in rural and remote areas and made a series of recommendations to encouraging the government to incorporate policies to provide early intervention, education and culturally appropriate and sensitive services that are co-designed and delivered through local communities.

Our submission to the Department of Social Services consultation into Stronger Outcomes for Children focused on a number of key areas including the Communities for Children program. We made a range of recommendations including expanding and building upon the Communities for Children program through the future funding rounds of family and children activities. We thank the staff members from NSW, VIC and QLD for their valuable contributions.

Mission Australia’s submission into the inquiry into the adequacy of youth diversionary programs in NSW calls for an expansion of effective diversionary programs across the state, increase in wrap around supports for young people engaged in the juvenile justice system to overcome personal barriers and increase in meaningful early intervention programs. The submission also highlights service models that are effective in supporting young people to get back on track through education, employment and cultural connection.

Mission Australia’s response to the inquiry focused on young people who are currently disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education. The submission highlighted the need for meaningful early intervention, and providing young people with opportunities to receive practical experience and information before they make decisions about their future career path. 

Mission Australia’s submission to the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools focused on young people disengaged from education, strengthening communities, early intervention and participation in extra-curricular activities.

Mission Australia welcomed the initiative to develop a youth strategy for young people in WA. Our submission highlighted our services in WA and other innovative youth programs in other states and territories. The submission also focused on the need to co-design and engage with the young people, community sector, and other relevant stakeholders to develop a meaningful youth strategy.

Youth suicide is an escalating issue in NSW that requires timely and effective responses.  We welcome the opportunity to provide input to the inquiry on the prevention of youth suicide in NSW. This submission focuses on the terms of reference in relation to provision of services in local communities and provision of services for vulnerable and at risk groups. 

Mission Australia’s submission to the Independent Review of Youth Detention in Queensland calls for a shift to early intervention and prevention and addressing the underlying causes of offending. It also highlights service models that work to help young people get back on track through education, employment and cultural connection.

Mission Australia's State of the Children 2016 report for the Cairns South and Yarrabah area will help the community identify areas for improvement, the planning of services and advocacy for young people in the region.

Mission Australia welcomes the additional investment in quality Early Childhood Education and Care to support workforce participation, however we are concerned that some vulnerable families and children may be worse off.