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YOUTH ACTION ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017
1 ABOUT YOUTH ACTION Youth Action is the peak organisation representing young people and youth services in NSW. Our work helps build the capacity of young people, youth workers and youth services, and we advocate for positive change on issues affecting these groups.
It is the role of Youth Action to:
1. Respond to social and political agendas relating to young people and the youth service sector.
2. Provide proactive leadership and advocacy to shape the agenda on issues affecting young people and youth services.
3. Collaborate on issues that affect young people and youth workers.
4. Promote a positive profile in the media and the community of young people and youth services.
5. Build capacity for young people to speak out and take action on issues that affect them.
6. Enhance the capacity of the youth services sector to provide high quality services.
7. Ensure Youth Action’s organisational development, efficiency, effectiveness and good governance.
Acknowledgement of Country
Youth Action acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional owners of the land, past and present and future, across NSW. We are committed to a positive future for Aboriginal young people and their communities. The Youth Action office is located upon the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and we acknowledge their traditional custodianship.
Youth Action
Suite 401, 52-58 William St Woolloomooloo NSW, 2011 Australia P (02) 8354 3700 | F (02) 8354 3720 E [email protected]
ABN 17 209 492 539 TABLE OF Section text. CONTENTS
1. Chairperson and CEO’s Report
2. Staff and Board
3. Membership
Youth Sector Support 4. and Development
5. District Visits Section heading Section heading Section text. Section text. 6. Engaging Young People
7. Policy & Advocacy
8. Youth Work Awards
9. Media and Communications
3 CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT The last year has been significant for Youth Action. On behalf of the Board of Governance I can say that, while there will always be considerable work to do and challenges to face, Youth Action is in a strong position to advocate on behalf of its members, the sector, and young people across NSW.
I am particularly proud of the work Youth Action has done to lead the youth sector in the face of the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) reforms. The Board sees these reforms as a space Youth Action must continue to be active in so that the essential work taking place in front-line services is represented and advocated for.
Youth Action has attended regional information and co-design sessions across NSW and has been in the room talking with the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) on behalf of members. This has been a big investment of time and resources in participating in every step of the TEI reforms to ensure we are advocating well for our members.
The strategic focus on valued young people, promoting a professional youth sector, putting youth issues on the agenda, and making Youth Action strong and sustainable has given the organisation the targeted direction it needs to take great strides.
The Board congratulates Katie Acheson and her dedicated team for another fantastic year. The Board also thanks the Department of Family and Community Services for its continued support through funding, and the many partners and members who are critical to Youth Action’s future.
Damian Cooper
CEO’S REPORT Building on the momentum of previous years, I am proud to say that Youth Action has tirelessly advocated for young people and youth services and achieved great things.
One of our biggest accomplishments in the last year, and my personal favourite, was visiting every district in NSW during October and November. The Youth Action team went to regional and rural NSW where we had the great pleasure of meeting 141 young people and connecting with 140 youth service providers and sector members. Not only was it a perfect opportunity to hear and see the issues affecting young people in NSW, we also met with District Directors to advocate on behalf of the sector in the midst of the TEI reforms.
This year we also worked hard to influence policy-makers. We put forward submissions to a number of inquiries, such as the Inquiry into Child Protection, Inquiry into Migrant Settlement Outcomes (with MYAN), and the NSW Homelessness Strategy. In partnership with national and international research bodies, we also released the first ever Australian Youth Development Index (YDI), which tracks conditions affecting young people from 2006 to 2016. The YDI is an important advocacy tool for providing a holistic view of the issues young Australians face every day. The success of this advocacy is shown in our continuing media presence, which helps put youth issues on the political agenda.
There is still so much be done to make NSW a better place for young people. I am proud of the steps we have taken, and excited for the challenges still to come. I am honoured to work with such an exceptional team, strong partners, and a passionate member base. Thank you again for standing with us in this last year.
Katie Acheson 4 STAFF AND BOARD
CURRENT STAFF
Katie Acheson Jake Formosa Natasha Lay Dean Williamson Chief Executive Officer Project Development Western Sydney Sector Support Manager Coordinator Manager
Jacqui McKenzie Chris Marcatili Rosie Swanton Penny Lamaro Policy & Advocacy Operations Communications Sector Support Officer Manager Coordinator Manager (from May 2017) (from May 2017)
PAST STAFF
Mena Basaly Miriam Rizvi Naomi Russo Conference Coordinator Communications Communications (from May 2017) Manager Manager (to May 2017) (to September 2016)
5 YOUTH ACTION BOARD
• Damian Cooper (Chairperson) • Keiran Kevans • Francis Dreyer (Deputy Chairperson) • Peter Hope • Chris Brereton (Treasurer) • Lawrence Muskitta • Lakin Agnew (Secretary) • Tilly South • Elizabeth Hill • Tamika Worrell
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
• Lincoln Peckham • Lakin Agnew • Niki Gill • Natalie Chiappazzo • Kim McLoughry • Maddy Forwood • Anthony Scerri • Valentina Angelovska • Angie McMillan
INTERNS AND CADETS
This year we worked with 20 young people through our internship and student placement programs. Our interns worked alongside Youth Action staff and gained valuable policy and advocacy work experience. A huge thank you to the students we worked with this year:
• Joe Brophy • Andy Chalmers • Katherine Stone • Belinda West • Kathleen Herbert • Betty Nguyen • Manisha Mishra • Casey Hails • Marianne Schafer-Gardiner • Charlotte Finlayson • Megan Sturges • Danika Hardiman • Michelle Chan • Eliza Kidd • Sana Shaikh • Gabi Bowen • Sarah Hemans • Hollie Jones • Tamika Worrell • Janika Berg
6 MEMBERSHIP Our members are at the core of what we do. Representing a diverse range of young people, services, organisations, and individuals from across NSW makes us a strong and productive peak body. Who Our Members Are What Our Members Say Of our 845 members, 104 organisational and individual members and 96 young people members responded to our annual survey. Here is what they had to say:
Think Youth Action has a good reputation overall. Where Our Members 98% Are From
Said Youth Action had represented the 96% Youth Sector well in the last year.
Said they were involved in our work 73% in the last year. Diverse organisations make up our member list:
LOCAL COUNCILS 30% COMMUNITY SERVICES 27%
YOUTH SERVICE 25% Said that Youth Action adds to their NEIGHBOURHOOD 72% capacity. CENTRES 13% ADVOCACY ORGANISATIONS 2% EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATIONS 2%
OTHER 1% Of young people said they had been 71% involved in our work in the last year. 7 YOUTH SECTOR SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT This year we invested a huge amount of time and resources into the Targeted Early Intervention (TEI) reforms, making sure our members were always kept up-to-date, equipped, and advocated for effectively. We also undertook District Visits and maintained several professional networks to understand and respond to the needs of the sector.
Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) Reforms Our key sector support focus continues to be the TEI reforms, which are a critical priority for our members. This reform will change the funding model to most early intervention youth services in NSW, so we have invested a large portion of our sector support resources in participating in the oversight of the state-wide rollout of the reform through a range of activities. We have spoken with members to District Representatives understand their needs in the reform process, Program advocated for improvements to reform processes and Our District Representatives are a group of tools, travelled across NSW to consult with and passionate members who help share information update our members, and provided expertise in a between Youth Action and their local regions. range of steps throughout the process. They help us strengthen our connection to the youth sector across the state, and by identifying Professional Networks local issues faced by youth services, the District In line with our strategic priorities, we support and Representatives help ensure Youth Action is facilitate a number of professional youth sector representing as many services as possible. They also networks. assist us to reflect local needs in the development of • The Local Government and Youth Development our sector training, resource material, and advocacy Network (LG&YDN) met four times this year support. to discuss a range of issues relating to youth development, particularly at a local government Western Sydney Youth level • The Practice Experts Group (PEG) provides Sector Network advice to Youth Action on a range of practice Western Sydney Youth Sector Network (WSYSN) is an issues, particularly regarding the TEI reforms and alliance of youth workers and interagencies in the submissions relating to the youth sector. Greater Western Sydney area. This year the network focused on regional advocacy, particularly for youth employment, and building stronger relationships Outcomes Training between schools and the youth sector. One of the major requests that we receive from the youth sector is for tools and skills in measuring The Western Sydney Project also supported the outcomes. In response, we included training in following sector support and development initiatives: outcomes measurement on our District Visits, running 13 training sessions and up-skilling approximately 140 • Linker Network – A community of organisations workers in Theory of Change and evaluation planning. in Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains aimed at creating better outcomes for clients • Mount Druitt Blacktown Youth Services Network Planning Day • Cumberland Youth Strategy – advising youth participation • Youth Participation with the Multicultural Youth Affairs Network • South West Sydney Prevention and Early Intervention Group (TEI Group) • Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains TEI Reference Group. 8 DISTRICT VISITS
The District Visits were one of the biggest events for Youth Action in the last few years. We visited every district in NSW to meet face-to-face with services, young people, and the organisations we represent. 6 weeks 13 districts
Youth Sector Young People 140 13 141 12 workers consultation young people consultation consulted sessions consulted sessions
KEY FINDINGS KEY FINDINGS
Key sector issues to ensure TEI reforms are The top 4 issues young people in NSW care about: successful: • Marriage Equality and LGBTQI issues • Planning for youth services needs to under- • Cost of Housing and Homelessness stand local issues and needs • Climate Change • Transport is a key issue for many services in • Lack of Employment opportunities. rural areas • Cultural competence needs to be improved How young people would like to take action on across the sector when working with Aboriginal these issues: and Torres Strait Islander young people • Data should be collected in a more consistent • Social media and activism and useful way • Ongoing advocacy • There is a need to increase capacity for services • Campaigning and events to collaborate and integrate.
9 ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE To ensure the voices of young people are included in conversations that impact them, we collaborate with them through consultations, information-sharing, and training. This work helps young people share their stories and take action on issues they care about. Training Outburst! Western Sydney We offer a number of opportunities for young people Youth Action Group to engage with our trainings, which are tailored to provide specific skills to young people to help them Outburst! provides pathways for young people in take action on key issues. Western Sydney to take action on issues they care about. It is made up of 26 passionate young people living, working, or studying in Western total training Sydney. This year the group represented young 19 sessions run people in Western Sydney in the media, in consultations with government, and in their local Total number of young communities. 81 people who benefitted Intern Masterclass Series: the Intern Following a consultation with members of Masterclass Series ensures the interns and cadets Outburst!, the City of Parramatta Council working with us are supported and up-skilled in the resolved to better engage young people in policy and advocacy work they do at Youth Action. Parramatta. As a direct result, Council held the first 16 sessions run. ever ‘Paint Your Parra’ Youth Forum, supported by Youth Action and held with 70 local 19 students benefitted. young people. Media training: We provide media training for young Youth Action’s Western Sydney Project also people, so that they can speak about the issues that delivered 6 training sessions and are important to them. presentations for young people, in areas such as 1 session run. leadership, public speaking and change-making. 22 young people benefitted.
Moree Leaders of Tomorrow Conference: We were very pleased to attend the Moree Leaders of Outburst! won the Tomorrow Conference in 2016, where we trained Western Sydney ZEST 40 young people from youth councils and groups in Award for Outstanding New England and North West NSW. The two sessions Youth-Led Project for their Youth Action delivered were: Designing a Community Project, and Making Your Project a Reality. innovative peer mental 2 sessions run. health project ‘Friend- 40 young people benefitted. 2Friend’.
‘Young People in Greater Western Sydney: Beyond Stereotypes’ Report
Youth Action sought to challenge stereotypes about young people in Greater Western Sydney, hearing from 857 young people about ‘What makes you smile about where you live?’ The results clearly showed that negative stereotypes are outdated, and that young people are overwhelmingly positive about living in the region, valuing people, community, culture and place. The survey findings received positive media coverage and were welcomed by politicians across Western Sydney.
10 POLICY AND ADVOCACY
This year was one of our biggest ever in representing critical issues affecting young people to decision-makers. Our policy work provides leadership in policy areas that are important to young people, and is responsive to social and political changes that impact young people and youth services.
Major reports, Meetings with MPs, research papers politicians, and 12 & submissions 11 government departments
Participation in Repeat meetings with Committees, panels, organisations, 54 conferences and 62 committees, or panels working groups
POLICY PAPERS AUSTRALIAN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INDEX AND SUBMISSIONS We were very proud to partner in producing the Youth Action responded to 9 government first ever Australian Youth Development Index inquiries, and produced 3 policy papers and (YDI). By comparing key indicators from 2006 reports: to 2016, the index tracks the changes for young people across five key domains: Education, Health • Australian Youth Development Index and Wellbeing, Employment and Opportunity, • Submission to Towards The Next Youth Political Participation and Civic Participation. Health Strategy • Submission to Revenge Porn/Sharing of This resource is vital as it equips policymakers Intimate Images Without Consent with the data they need to focus on enhancing • Submission to NSW Homelessness Strategy the status of young people and enabling them • Submission to NSW Homelessness Strategy to build on their strengths. • Submission to Federal Government Youth Jobs Path: Prepare, Trial, Hire • Submission to Inquiry into the Provision of Education to Students with Disability or Special Needs MEETINGS WITH MP’S • Submission to Inquiry Into Migrant Settlement Outcomes AND GOVERNMENT • Submission to Inquiry into Child Protection DEPARTMENTS • Social Housing for Young People in NSW • Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent • Minister Pru Goward, Minister for Family and Discussion Paper Community Services and Minister for Social Housing • Young People in Greater Western Sydney: • Minister Ray Williams, Minister for Multiculturalism Beyond Stereotypes. and Minister for Disability Services • Advisor to Deputy Premier John Barilaro MP • Advisor to Minister Pru Goward MP • Advisor to Minister Stuart Ayres MP • Advisor to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull • NSW Department of Education • NSW Department of Families and Community Services (FACS) • NSW Department of Health • NSW Department of Justice • NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. 11 MEETINGS • 1Scope • Mental Health Carers NSW • Aboriginal Child, Family and Community • Mission Australia Care State Secretariat NSW (AbSec) • Mount Druitt Blacktown Youth Services Network • Advocate for Children and Young People • Multicultural Youth Affairs Network NSW • All Together Now • National Consumer Congress • ARACY – Middle Ground • NSW Business Chamber • ASIC – CCC Joint Committee • NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) • Australian Community Workers Association • NSW Save The Children • Australian Competition and Consumer • Plan International Competition (ACCC) • Relationships Australia • Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) • Safe Schools • Australian Government Department of • TAFE NSW Western Sydney Employment • Tenants’ Union of NSW • Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) • The Benevolent Society • BaptistCare • Try, Test, Learn Funding Consulting Session • Centre for Western Sydney, WSU • UNICEF • City Councils, including Blacktown, Inner West, • UnitedWay Parramatta and Liverpool • UnitingCare Australia • Coffs Harbour Child and Family Interagency • UrbanGrowth NSW • Committee for Sydney • Western Sydney Collective Leadership Group • Commonwealth Ombudsman • Western Sydney Community Forum • Council of Australian Governments • Western Sydney Community Legal Centre • CREATE • WESTIR • Fairfield Police and Principals Network • Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue • fams • Western Sydney Local Health District • Fire & Rescue NSW • Western Sydney Women • headspace Mount Druitt and Penrith • Yfoundations • Ideation 2017, State Library of NSW • YMCA NSW • Local Community Services Association (LCSA) • Youth Connections. • Macarthur Youth Services Network
COMMITTEES, PANELS, CONFERENCES AND WORKING GROUPS • ACOSS Conference • Joint Protocol Out-Of-Home-Care • ACWA LCAC Interagency and Working Group Steering Committee • ARACY Middle Years Network Seminar • Listen and give us a say • Aspirational Ideas Workshop, Relationships • Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) Australia • NCOSS Children, Young People and Families • Australian Communications Consumer Action Alliance, Housing Forum and Pre-Budget Network, and Conference Submission Launch • Board of Studies, Board Endorsed Alternative • NGO Research Forum Education Programs Panel • NSW Budget Reply Community Reception • Child Protection Inquiry Testimony • NSW Business Chamber Property Tax • COMPACT Alliance Quarterly Meeting Roundtable • Designing Great Cities Panel • NSW Ombudsman Joint Protocol Steering • DFV Working Group Meeting Committee Quarterly Meeting • Equality Rights Alliance Committee • NSW Women’s Alliance Committee • Forum of Non-Government Agencies (FONGA) • NSW Youth Advisory Council Selection Panel • Greater Sydney Commission, Social Panel • Sydney Alliance • Growing up digital panel • TEI Reform Central Council, Sector Assistance • Human Services Managers Meeting Strategy Development Workshop and state-wide • Inner Eastern Sydney Migrant Interagency local working groups • Inquiry into Migrant Settlement • The Australia and New Zealand Third Sector Outcomes – Public Hearing Research (ANZTSR) Conference • IPART Public Hearing • Youth Justice Coalition • Just Reinvest NSW Strategic Committee 1212 YOUTH WORK AWARDS The Youth Work Awards were a sell-out celebration in 2016, highlighting the incredible work done in the youth sector. With 52 nominations across nine categories, it was our biggest night yet recognising contributions to the health, safety, and wellbeing of young people in NSW. Nominees are listed below, with winners listed in bold. Outstanding Youth Work Volunteer Partnership of the Year • Cooma Youth Hub • Jeremy Andreani, Cerebral Palsy • Brotherhood Alliance • Marrickville Souths Breakfast & Fitness Club • Lilly Lyons • The Pop Up Project • Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Innovation in using Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) Program • RYDON (Regional Youth Development Data to Tell Stories Officers Network) • Blacktown Youth Services Association, • Street TV B.O.S.S. (BYSA Online Service Statistics) • SENTRAL Youth Services • Mosman Council Youth Services • Volunteering Programs • Mountains Youth Services Team Outstanding Project or Service Working with Outstanding Project or CALD Young People Service Working with • Multicultural Youth Affairs Network Aboriginal Young People • Healing Through Evan Yako’s Drumming • Youth StepUP Apps • Kool Kids Club Program in La Perouse • Weave Youth Service • Eurobodalla Youth Cafes Outstanding Youth • Walgett Shire Council Participation • Weave Youth Advocates Youth Service of the Year • AbSec Youth Ambassador Program • Options Youth Housing, Caretakers • Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation Cottage • Mosman Council Youth Services • Blacktown Youth Services Association • Peer Enrichment and Empowerment Project • Interns Australia (PEEP) • Homebush Boys High School Student Youth Worker of the Year Leadership Program • Amy O’Neil, Glebe Youth Service • Sydney Pacifica • Christopher Manoski • The #YCProject - Carers NSW • Emilly Pettit • The Junction Works’ Youth Clicks Committee • Godelive Hofman-Verkuyl • YouthSource • Greg Nikoletos • Hellen Horton • Jennifer Parke Lifetime Achievement • Joy Mullings • Karen Yuen Award • Law Tuilaepa • Nick Higgins • Leticia-Anne-Maree Quince • Charlie Coorey • Marissa Borromeo • Henry McCarthy • Melissa Sass • Lynne McGimpsey • Penny Lamaro • Saba Nabi • Shannon Nyhan
13 MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
Media Social Media We continue to build our reputation through Our social media presence continues to strengthen, media channels and have taken the opportunity and this year we have seen significant increases in our to appear on high-profile platforms. The growth audience across all platforms. Social media plays a of our media presence is an important part of key role for engaging young people and building our our strategic goal of putting youth issues on the visibility and reputation across NSW. agenda. This also gives us opportunities to allow young people to speak directly to the media, and amplify their voices. 2771 Likes 20% on previous year
658 Followers 182 367% on previous year media mentions 3169 Followers 18% on previous year 17 televised interviews including The Drum and ABC news24
26 media pieces on our revenge porn/consensual image sharing submission Publications & Yaprap Coverage spanning international, national and local outlets including BBC, Triple J HACK, ABC 24 News, The Australian, ABC Radio, 2GB, Sydney recipients morning Herald, Q & A Extra, Huffington Post and 1826 many more.
(increase of 50% on previous year)
recipients surveyed 91% said they found yaprap useful
Website
100,371 47,987 page views site visits (increase of 12% on previous year)
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