Children, young people and families
Any nation that does note care for and protect all of its children does not deserve to be called a nation.
Nelson Mandela
Children and young people have a right to live in a family and community filled with happiness, love and understanding. Families play a central role in nurturing, caring and protecting their children, and often need support and assistance to provide the best care. To support their wellbeing, children, young people and families need to live in a community that they feel a part of and to be able to access a range of integrated, flexible support services that are tailored to their varying needs.
Over the past three years, VCOSS advocacy on children, young people and families has focused on the review of the Children and Young Person’s Act 1989, and on issues facing Indigenous children, young people and families. VCOSS made three submissions to the Review of the Children and Young Person’s Act 1989. Together with other organisations, VCOSS successfully advocated for the best interests of children to be the key principle of the new legislation. In submissions to the review VCOSS also prioritised advocacy to support and promote the wellbeing of Indigenous children, young people and families and continues this focus in the ongoing implementation of the new Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.
From 2003 to 2006, VCOSS participated in the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Vulnerable Children, Young People and Families, which provided advice to the then Minister for Community Services and Children, the Hon Sherryl Garbutt. The advisory arrangements for the new Minister for Community Services and Minister for Children are currently being finalised – look out for updates in the near future. VCOSS supports the establishment of an independent Victorian Children and Young People’s Commission.
Download the children and families and young people chapters in the VCOSS 2008-09 State Budget Submission. Following each budget VCOSS writes an analysis of the Government’s spending commitments.
Publications on the subject are listed here.
If you would like to find out more about VCOSS work on children, young people and families policies contact:
Carolyn Atkins
carolyn.atkins@vcoss.org.au