l… a ti n te o p ll u f ir e h t ch ea r to ce an ch y er ev s ve er es d ild ch y er ev e us ca Be Every Child Central Inaugural Progress Report Contents l… a ti Message from the Chair...... 7 Children’s development...... 24 n Disadvantage and social exclusion. . . . . 26 te o About Every Child . . .8 Household characteristics...... 27 p ll Vision...... 10 Domestic and family violence...... 27 u Scope...... 10 Child Protection Orders...... 28 f ir We Value...... 11 School readiness and e Governance ...... 12 educational attainment...... 29 h t · Community Leadership Board. . . . . 12 Teenage pregnancy...... 30 h · Governance Structure...... 13 Youth unemployment...... 31 ac e · Leadership Alliance Group...... 14 Social and emotional wellbeing...... 31 r · Core Organisation...... 14 to e · Program Coordination Team...... 14 Our Communities...... 33 nc · Outcome Action Groups...... 15 ha · Project Teams...... 15 Areas of focus...... 36 c · General participation...... 15 The Big 5...... 37 ry ve e What is Social Innovation?...... 16 Next phase ...... 38 s Actions for the year...... 39 ve er Why a Collective Impact Approach?. . . .18 Time-line...... 39 es Benefits and challenges...... 40 d About Central Queensland...... 20 ild Conclusion...... 41 ch y Issues for children in er Central Queensland...... 23 References...... 42 ev Low birth weight babies ...... 23 e us Obesity and overweight children...... 24 About this Report ...... 43 ca Be

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Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report About Every Child CQ

Every Child CQ plans to be a part of the worldwide movement to improve the lives of children, through social innovation activities executed in a way that provides measurable results, builds upon existing projects and lays the foundations for long-term and sustainable social change. We aim to create social innovation, particularly in the way our social system responds to the needs of children, by adding value as social benefit rather than as increased profits for organisations or financial, or other, benefits to individuals.

In 2008, in its submission to the Government’s the collective will of our many 2020 Summit, the Australian Research ‘Responding to the 2020 stakeholders, including people in our Alliance for Children & Youth (ARACY) Summit’ included the following communities to ensure that children highlighted ‘…an alarming increase statement: in this region are able to access in rates of child abuse and neglect, the required supports and services 2020 is now just a few years away yet youth homelessness, substance and Australia ranks in the bottom third of to support their healthy and happy alcohol abuse, aggressive crimes, OECD5 countries in around one-quarter development. childhood obesity and mental health of wellbeing indicators6, including At the beginning of 2015, we issued issues, and an expanding gap between infant mortality, unemployment and a Call to Action to prominent Central wealth and marginalized children preschool attendance. The levels of Queenslanders from business, industry, and young people.’3 income inequality and jobless families government and the community, to are increasing and our indicators on focus their collective will to improve teenage pregnancy and child safety are life outcomes for children. Almost 150 poor, when compared to other OECD people answered the call and attended countries. This is despite the fact that the launch of Every Child Deserves all levels of government and many Every Chance. Our name later changed non-government organisations expend to Every Child Central Queensland to By 2020 vast amounts of money on services for reflect the communities where our children and families. Clearly, there is initial efforts will be focused. every Australian an imperative to act to address these concerning statistics. The Central Following the launch, a foundational Queensland region has poorer statistics Community Leadership Board formed. should be in a than national averages on several These Central Queensland leaders OECD indicators. possess a broad range of experience, position to believe expertise and networks and have The United Nations Declaration of stepped up to the challenge of working that every child has the Rights of the Child (1989) calls on some multi-layered and complex upon parents, individuals, voluntary issues. They have progressed the the same capacity organisations, local authorities and establishment of Every Child CQ and national governments to strive to started engaging others with this work. and talent to lead a ensure that every child receives special protection, so they may ‘develop Every Child CQ plans to be a part of 4 physically, mentally, morally, spiritually the worldwide movement to improve fulfilling life. and socially in a healthy and normal the lives of children, through social manner and in conditions of freedom innovation activities executed in a 7 and dignity.’ way that provides measurable results, builds upon existing projects and lays Every Child CQ intends to galvanise the foundations for long-term and

3 ARACY. www.aracy.org.au 4 Commonwealth of Australia (2009). Responding to the document. www.apo.org.au/node/13763 5, 6 Compendium of OECD Well-Being Indicators. Society at a Glance (2016) at www.oecd.org 8 7 www.un.org/en

Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report Vision

Every Child CQ is creating social innovation by using the principles of collective impact to bring about systemic and long lasting change to health, wellbeing and life outcomes for Central Queensland children, to ensure that every child has every chance to reach their full potential. Scope

Every Child CQ will seek to deliver improved health, social and wellbeing outcomes for children – aged from birth to 18 years – residing in the Central Queensland area, but this initiative is not necessarily exclusive of communities adjacent to, or adjoining the target area, where impact overlap would be practical and beneficial to children in those communities.

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Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report Governance

Creating the conditions necessary to defining purpose and determining Ms Maxine Brushe has extensive change complex, complicated and objectives. The Board guides delivery experience in board governance and entrenched social systems that influence through oversight of the Coordinator, community leadership, gained from her children’s life outcomes will require facilitating strategic planning, driving service as a Councillor with the Calliope considerable innovation, and substantial operational performance, ensuring Shire Council for 13 years, with five evolution of existing paradigms. Good probity and confirming priorities. years as Deputy Mayor. She served for governance empowers people, guides To ensure the viability of the initiative eight years with the Gladstone Regional operations and supports efficiency the Board develops and maintains Council and as Chair of the Gladstone and in a collective impact initiative, external partnerships, engages Region Community Development it is paramount that governance investors, liaises with the Core Committee, and completed 25 years’ structures enshrine the ‘neutrality’ of the Organisation and the Leadership service with Gladstone Area Promotion organisation and confirm an authentic Alliance Group (LAG), and promotes and Development Limited. connection to the service system. the initiative to cultivate community Governance arrangements need to be confidence and participation. Ms Helen Newell has been an robust enough to ensure operational Enterprise Facilitator, delivering an coherence yet flexible enough to The Board is responsible for the innovative economic development adjust rapidly to emerging issues, agile progress of the initiative and is model in western CQ. This has given enough to develop and implement novel accountable for deliverables and her first-hand knowledge of the impact responses and open enough to take outcomes. Board members are of the mining downturn and prolonged advantage of unique opportunities that community leaders with a strong drought on businesses and families living unexpectedly present. belief in, and commitment to, creating in affected communities. As Director prosperous futures for all children. of Invisible Network Advantage, Helen The governance arrangements of Mr Mick Shearer, Chair of the Board, leverages her Australian and international Every Child CQ ensure transparency, is also the Regional Executive networks to connect her clients to enable adaptive leadership, promote Director (Central Queensland) for business networks, to accelerate engagement and encourage innovation. the Queensland’s Government’s results. She focuses on forging strong We will appropriately manage Department of Communities, Child partnerships, joint ventures and strategic bureaucratic encumbrances, funding Safety and Disability Services. He has alliances for greater impact in business worked in the social services sector obligations, political alliances, misaligned and community ventures. for over 30 years and his experience strategy and operational dependencies, provides the Board with government Ms Melanie Lippitt-Plumb is an to establish neutral credibility. This perspectives as well as influence, and Indigenous woman with a passion cannot however, be at the expense of strategic and executive management. for social justice and equality. She developing close connections to and worked for CentacareCQ for over eight engaging with key partners, system Mr Paul Bell AM is the current Chair years in various roles, overseeing stakeholders and community cohorts. of the CQ Hospital and Health Board. both Centacare and the Having skin in the game maintains He has accrued 30 years of service as Family Relationship Centre. Melanie’s confidence amongst our stakeholders. a Councillor with the Central Highlands professional and personal experience Regional Council, including nine years will ensure the Board has insight into as Mayor and four years as President the issues facing some of our most Community Leadership of the Australian Local Government vulnerable children. Board (the Board) Association. Paul’s board experience and membership of the Australian Professor Kevin Ronan is a clinical Institute of Company Directors psychologist specialising in problems of The Board is the central governing gives him a practical understanding youth and families, effects of disasters, group that leads, guides and directs the and contemporary knowledge of trauma, conduct and anxiety disorders, initiative. The Board provides strategic corporate, financial, compliance and child maltreatment, and schizophrenia. leadership by setting long-term vision, risk management practice. He is a Professorial Research Fellow

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Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Leadership Alliance Group opportunities for program-related CQ and the Core Organisation is research and encourage the commitment recommended to establish the The Leadership Alliance Group (LAG) of staff to extend the program’s capacity. foundation for long-term actions. comprises people with expert skills, A review will be undertaken by the end knowledge and experience in fields that The Board leads and guides the of the second year, and it is envisaged directly relate to the aspirations and overall direction of Every Child CQ this partnership will be extended. objectives of Every Child CQ. The LAG and provides programmatic oversight provides expert advice, guidance and of the Program Coordination Team— Program feedback to the Board regarding: which may be employed by the Core Organisation, to manage the on-the- Coordination Team · strategic direction and planning ground project work, including day-to-day · program design, implementation administrative support. The Program Coordination Team (PCT), · evaluation, critical issue resolution, and led by the Coordinator, is the operational The Core Organisation assumes two · research and development. powerhouse of Every Child CQ. The of the ten Board positions to ensure team is dedicated to enacting the strategic leadership and operational Membership of the LAG is through initiative’s operating strategy, supporting acumen is enhanced and the interests of invitation to participate by the aligned activities, establishing shared the Core Organisation are entrenched in Board with membership continuing measurement practices, facilitating Board deliberations. indeterminately. The LAG meets/ action groups and project teams, phasing video links with the Board annually The Core Organisation accepts and and members are available, on an as administers sponsorship, philanthropic needed basis, for individual discussion investment and government funding for with Board members about particular the Every Child CQ initiative. matters, to review program planning where necessary and to provide input Every Child CQ and the Core to specific project delivery components Organisation will co-brand marketing Systemic and long lasting change to health, when required. material, link each other’s web pages, share announcements and media activity wellbeing and life outcomes for Central Core Organisation and ensure the mutual promotion and celebration of the partnership. Queensland children, to ensure that every child The Core Organisation is responsible for all logistical and staffing resources An initial three-year formal partnership has every chance to reach their full potential. to enact the partnership, prioritise agreement between Every Child

14 Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

program work and effectively utilising attention on one or more locations have less diverse membership, and resources and funding. simultaneously. operate under pre-determined time-lines. Every Child CQ has no desire to take The PCT functions from within the Core A Board member with responsibility over or control existing projects (unless Organisation, although the Coordinator for the relevant outcome assists in an agreement to do so is gained) and reports to the Board. Team members the establishment of each OAG and does not seek to create competing may be directly employed, co-opted or continues as a member of that OAG projects. Rather, the Board’s mandate is out-posted by partner agencies and this to maintain a practical connection to to facilitate mutually reinforcing activity team may also include volunteers. the Board’s deliberations and decision- through the OAG structure. Where making. OAG membership is determined existing projects or activities are working Outcome Action Groups based on need, and comprises sector toward a desired outcome area of Every leaders, topic experts and advocates Child CQ, they may identify as Project who are willing to pursue priority Teams, access OAG support, leverage Outcome Action Groups (OAG’s) are outcomes by harnessing collaborative off other Project Teams and access Every collaborative leadership teams who are effort, encouraging innovation and Child CQ’s data resources. able to guide and direct work across creating the synergies necessary to bring outcome areas. Given the strategic about reform. nature of the OAG’s purview, they are General participation likely to influence sector specific actions, OAG’s develop annual plans that align to guide cross-sectoral activity and focus Individuals, companies, not-for- the Board’s Strategic Plan and provide profit entities, government agencies, quarterly progress reports through the community and other groups are Coordinator to the Board. eligible to be part of Every Child CQ as equal participants, notwithstanding Project Teams sponsorships, grants, philanthropic or other contributions. All such contributions Systemic and long lasting change to health, Project Teams typically include individuals will be outlined on the Every Child CQ who are focused on specific projects website, with any real or perceived that may be either pre-existing or conflicts managed by the Board, to wellbeing and life outcomes for Central developed by OAG’s. Project Teams maintain probity and public confidence progress particular tasks, problem-solve about these arrangements. Queensland children, to ensure that every child and address issues involving identified cohorts or specific locations. These has every chance to reach their full potential. teams are smaller in number than OAG’s,

5, 6 Compendium of OECD Well-Being Indicators. Society at a Glance (2016) at www.oecd.org 7 www.un.org/en 15

Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report About Central Queenland

The statistics and data in this report have been collected Woorabinda – covering an area of almost 400 square from a number of sources, based on available data at this kilometres and home to a population of approximately point in time. Based on the Fitzroy Statistical Divisi on, 1,000 people. we define Central Queensland as the area covered by the Children and young people comprise almost 30% of Central local government areas of Banana Shire, Central Highlands Queensland’s population and the 25-year population growth Regional Council, Gladstone Regional Council, Livingstone prediction is 1.6%.17 Shire and Woorabinda Shire. There are 141 schools and 129 childcare services in Central With a total area of just over 117,800 square kilometres, the Queensland. Annual incomes vary across the region region is home to a population of approximately 240,000, with a median person income of $32,916 compared to with around 5% of residents being Aboriginal or Torres Strait the state median of $30,524. Total family income ranges Islander (the Queensland average is 3.6%). from $117,312 in the Central Highlands to $64,620 in There is one discrete Aboriginal community within this Rockhampton (the Queensland average median income is region, situated 170km south west of Rockhampton – $75,556).17

17 ’s Statistician’s Office, Queensland Treasury, Queensland Regional Profiles: Resident Profile for Fitzroy Statistical Divis region (2016). www.qgso.qld.gov.au 20

Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report Issues for children in Central Queensland

Identifying issues that are impacting on children’s lives is an integral first step for Every Child CQ and there is a plenty of qualitative and quantitative data about what children need to thrive and the impact of negative forces on outcomes for children.

Children in Central Queensland Within each community, there can Low birth weight babies be complex cultural, familial and are over-represented in a community experiences that must be Central Queensland babies are more number of data collection taken into account when attempting likely to have a low birth weight of to alter dynamics. measures, with many indicators less than 1,000 grams. Low birth weight babies are at a greater risk of showing that families are under We recognise that the people who dying during the first year of life and pressure (Roufeil and Battye, live in these communities are the are prone to ill health in childhood and best placed to know what is needed into adulthood. 2008). In Australia’s Health 2006 to help change the momentum and the AIHW notes it is usual for fix problems. Babies with fetal growth restriction have a higher risk of adverse people living in regional, rural Every Child CQ is committed to neurological outcomes that can and remote areas to ‘…generally working with key community include learning deficits and behaviour leaders, who can influence and help problems. Low birth weight is also a score lower on various health develop community-led solutions, to risk factor for neurological and physical indices, and display higher engender real and sustainable change. disabilities, psychosocial problems, By implementing a coordinated difficulties at school, and lower disability and mortality rates than community-wide social innovation achievement on intellectual measures, their urban counterparts…’, but strategy, in partnership with our particularly arithmetic.19 communities, it is possible to influence we cannot be complacent about accepted norms and values to help An increased risk of Type 2 diabetes statistics in the region. Children’s create a safe and healthy community. and high blood pressure are additional risks for low birth weight babies, as safety and wellbeing is a Following an initial analysis of well as a higher mortality rate from community issue and there is an available data, the Every Child CQ cardiovascular and renal diseases in Board have identified a number of adulthood, and from pulmonary causes obvious urgency for us to think specific trends in Central Queensland, in both childhood and adulthood.20 about what we are prepared which raise significant concerns and require attention. to accept for one of the most vulnerable groups in society— our children.

19 AIHW (2011). Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2011. Cat. No. Aus. 73. 20 Hilder, L., Zhichao, Z., Parker, M., Jahan, S., Chambers, G.M. (2014). Australia’s mothers and babies 2012. Perinatal statistics series no. 30. 23 Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Obesity and instrument – completed by teachers – encompasses five domains of early overweight children childhood development that are predic- tors of a child’s health, education and In Central Queensland 1 in 4 children, social outcomes: Children that are de- aged 5 to 17 are overweight or obese. velopmentally vulnerable demonstrate In its 2016 Position Statement, the much lower than average competen- Australian Medical Association (AMA) cies in that domain.22 cited obesity as the ‘biggest public health challenge facing Australia.’21 The consequences of not taking steps Recent research reveals that obese to improve the health of children and children (aged between two and five young people will only perpetuate years) incur health care costs that are the already concerning current health 60% more than costs for children in the inequalities, particularly for Aboriginal healthy weight range. and Torres Strait Islander children who are over-represented in many negative In 2011-12, Queensland had the third health statistics in Central Queensland. highest percentage of overweight Children who are developmentally and obese children, aged 5 to 17, in vulnerable experience a number of the country, at 27%. The greatest challenges, with poor overall social disparity between population groups skills precluding them from being able was observed for children in the lowest to live productive lives. They may socio-economic areas, who were 1.7 have difficulties following rules, have times as likely to be overweight/obese low self-control, exhibit aggressive than children in the highest socio- behaviour, act impulsively, and have economic areas. poor communication skills. Under- developed social and emotional With at least a quarter of Australian competence will present many children and adolescents being challenges for these children as they overweight or obese, the AMA navigate through life. advocates prevention and early intervention starting with the pregnant mother and continuing throughout infancy and childhood.

AMA recommendations include establishing community-based pilot Australian Early Development Census 2015 Vulnerability. programs and initiatives to address Comparison of results CQ Qld, Australia obesity in local communities.

Children’s development 29.6% 26.1% Infancy and early childhood are 22.0% important periods for the development of children and it is essential that 16.9% 14.0% parents receive the support they need 11.1% to care for their children and improve access to early education and health care (AIHW, 2012).

The Australian Early development Australia Queensland Central Queensland Census (AEDC) is a national collection Values: n Sum of Vulnerable in 1 Category n Sum of Vulnerable in 2 Categories of information about how children are developing prior to school. The AEDC

21 www.ama.com.au/position-statement/obesity-2016 22 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) (2015). www.aedc.gov.au 24 Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Infancy and early childhood are important periods for the development of children and it is essential that

Australian Early Development Census 2015 Vulnerability. Comparison Rockhampton to other communities parents receive the support they

% % 33.0 % 32.2 30.9 30.2 % 29.1% need to care for 27.8% their children and 20.9%

% % 17.3 16.8% 17.7 % 14.7% 15.6 improve access to early education and health care.

Rockhampton Caboolture Ipswich Logan

Values: n Sum of Vulnerable in 1 Category n Sum of Vulnerable in 2 Categories (AIHW, 2012)

25 Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Figure 1: (The Australian Centre for Social Innovation) Percentage of children aged less than 16 years in jobless families - 2011

It is 35 unacceptable that Australia rests with 30 vast amounts of

inequality. For five 25 Non-metro Qld 24

consecutive years, Qld 22 20 Australia has had CQ 19 the highest levels of median wealth 15 in the world, yet 10 poverty and poor outcomes for certain

Children in low income, welfare-dependant families/100 5 Rockhampton Gladstone Capricorn Banana Central groups are at an Coast Highlands all-time high. Every year we spend Source: PHIDU. Social Health Atlas of Australia: Queensland. Jan 2013 billions on social

programs, yet still Disadvantage and Division are in the bottom three social exclusion quintiles of disadvantage. In Central little changes. We Queensland 43% of children aged simply can no longer Many studies and reports conclude 0-15 years live in relative poverty that living in poor quality communities (households with less than 60% of the keep funding more where socio-economic disadvantage is median income) with 17% of those on widespread and support services are less than 50% of the median income. of the same. lacking, can negatively affect children’s 29.4% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait social and emotional wellbeing.23 Islander children in Central Queensland live in jobless families. 13% of Australia’s population live The Australian Centre for Social Innovation. This information will be updated in 2017-18 below the poverty line, compared to as information from the 2016 Census are 24 11% across OECD countries. processed.

Information collected from the 2011 Because education, housing, food Census25 indicates that over half of and employment all affect children’s the population in the Fitzroy Statistical wellbeing, any partnership between

23 Dudgeon, Walker, Scrine, Shepherd, Calma and Ring (2014). Effective strategies to strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; Robinson, E. and Adams, R., (AIFS) (2008). Housing stress and the mental health and wellbeing of families. 24 OECD, Compendium of OECD Well-Being Indicators, Society at a Glance. 26 25 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2011. The Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage, Census of Population and Housing: Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas, Australia – Data only, (Queensland Treasury derived).

Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Child Protection Orders When the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services assesses that a child is in need of protection, and it is not possible or appropriate for the department to work voluntarily with the family to protect the child, a Child Protection Order (CPO) is sought through the Children’s Court. In Central Queensland, the number of CPOs has been increasing for the last five years. Queensland Central Far Nth Queensland North Coast South Queensland West Whilst the Queensland Government’s 30.06.2012 1,072 1,288 929 1,045 1,050 1,822 1,608 Supporting Families Changing Futures32 reforms to child protection and family support services are already showing 30.06.2013 1,089 1,348 918 1,143 978 1,928 1,763 positive results, with more families accessing supports earlier, Every 30.06.2014 925 1,353 961 1,178 952 1,977 1,738 Child CQ believes the responsibility for caring for and protecting our 30.06.2015 905 1,384 1,028 1,266 999 1,908 1,726 children extends beyond government’s obligations. We believe that every adult 30.06.2016 932 1,387 1,004 1,380 1,024 2,004 1,796 has a duty to share the responsibility for the wellbeing of our children and that every community has a role to Children subject to CPOs, by region, Queensland31 play in ensuring children have every opportunity to lead successful, safe and happy lives.

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Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Poor school attendance and performance Victim of violence Unstable housing and/or sexual abuse Children born to arrangements in childhood teenage mothers are more vulnerable to In a relationship with an older partner Teenage neglect, due to factors pregnancy risk 37 Aboriginal or including poverty, factors Torres Strait Islander background inexperience and social 38 isolation. Living in rural/ remote areas Family History Low socio-economic background

Teenage pregnancy At 29% the teenage pregnancy rate in be planned pregnancies, and culturally Central Queensland is 5% higher than a high value is placed on motherhood. the Queensland rate of 24 per 1,000 This creates a conundrum for public 15-19 year olds, and much higher than health services, as generally the health the Australian rate of 15.5 per 1,000.36 of the mother and baby is improved Nearly 3% of 15-19 year-old Central by delaying the first pregnancy past Queensland females are having babies the teenage years. Even with family each year. In 2011 Rockhampton support, life choices can be limited, and it is important to attend to the heath, had the highest rates of teenage economic, and social problems that can pregnancy in the region at 35 per 1,000 accompany early motherhood. women, aged 15 to 19 years. In the Central Highlands the number was The AIHW’s research shows that 34 per 1,000. Overall 7% of Central teenagers in this region may be faced Queensland’s deliveries were for with barriers to access reproductive teenage mothers, with the proportion and sexual health services, including much higher (20%) for Aboriginal and contraception (AIHW, 2012, Issue 32). Torres Strait Islander mothers. Cost, distance and concerns about Teen pregnancies in Central confidentiality with the family general practitioner can stop young people Queensland are double the accessing the services they need, and national average. these barriers are compounded for disadvantaged youth and those living in The rate of teenage pregnancy amongst smaller towns like Woorabinda. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women represents a slight Services, therefore, must be designed reduction from the rates of the mid- to meet the specific needs of 2000s, however is still high. Many may communities.

Teenage mothers may not complete their education, which can lead to long-term unemployment or poorly paid jobs.38

36 Queensland Government’s Statistician’s Office, Queensland Treasury, Queensland Regional Profiles: Resident Profile for Fitzroy Statistical Divis region (2016). www.qgso.qld.gov.au 30 37, 38 Family Planning Queensland, 2012, Teen Pregnancy Indicators Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Unemployment Social and emotional wellbeing The level of financial stress a The concept of ‘wellbeing’ is complex and multidimensional, with many household experiences is strongly interacting variables, including personal, family, community, structural and cultural influenced by the employment status influences.41 But stripped to its core, wellbeing is basically the way children feel of the people who live there. about themselves and others. Socially and emotionally competent children can develop healthy relationships, be persistent, are self-confident and can regulate Although the Central Queensland area their emotional experiences. Evidence confirms that children can derive significant appears to be tracking on parity with benefit from being able to access a range of ‘social supports and networks the state average, there are several outside the family and school environments’.42 pockets where the unemployment rate is higher than the state average. In the local government area of Woorabinda, for example, more than half of families with children have no parent employed Children’s Headline Indicator for Social and and 99.3% of the population are amongst the most socio-economically Emotional Wellbeing disadvantaged in the state.39 This Indicator was developed by the AIHW43 in 2011-12, with priority Statistically there is no significant areas selected based on an ecological model of social and emotional difference between the areas within wellbeing, including interactions between multiple environments such as Central Queensland, or between the home, school and community, as well as the individual and relational Central Queensland and the state characteristics of the child. average, for the proportion of 15- 19 year-olds who were ‘learning or This perspective recognises the wider community’s influence on children’s earning’. In CQ 74% of this cohort social and emotional wellbeing. were enrolled in further training and employment, with the lowest Data for the indicator was based on a parent or carer completed Strengths proportion – 71% – living in the and Difficulties Questionnaire, with results reported in the second Australian 40 Banana Shire. Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2015).

Community factors, like living in a poor community with lack of access to support services, can lower children’s social and emotional wellbeing. Family conflict can contribute significantly to emotional instability among children with a wide range of adjustment problems predicted.44 Of course there are other societal stimuli that also affect a child’s wellbeing, including technology, media, government policies and social values. There is also substantial evidence validating that Central if children receive appropriate interventions—the Queensland Queensland stimulation and care they need for healthy growth and development—they can catch up and continue on to 13.9 14.4 lead happy and successful lives. Youth Unemployment There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which

39, 40 Government’s Statistician’s Office, Queensland Treasury, Queensland Regional it treats its children. Profiles: Resident Profile for Fitzroy Statistical Divis region, Queensland (2016). www. qgso.qld.gov.au 41, 42, 43, 44 AIHW (2012), Social and emotional wellbeing: Development of a Children’s Headline Indicator. Nelson Mandela 31

Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Areas of focus

The preliminary data, community Whilst an overarching view of working conversations and stakeholder for children in Central Queensland workshops have indicated some key must remain, the available data areas requiring attention. To fully noticeably demonstrates a need for explore these issues and interrogate targeted attention in the communities system responses, more analyses is of Rockhampton, Mount Morgan required, but we are not going to just and Woorabinda, where indicators of wait until that work is progressed. disadvantage and potential challenges There is already enough information to life trajectory are particularly high. available for us to be able to move Towns like Blackwater and Calliope forward confidently and start working have experienced a period of rapid on these outcome areas, by tapping growth, followed by a significant into the expertise and knowledge of decline in population over recent those already focused on these issues. years, therefore place-based inputs It is evident that the ‘patchwork’ and community directed responses, economic conditions across the Central may also be required in these Queensland region are driven by communities. Every Child CQ does not climatic conditions, commodity prices, label these, or any other, communities Leaders of infrastructure investment decisions and based on statistical information, demographic change, which although however it is important to be aware successful collective well outside the influence of every of relevant information, to ensure that Child CQ, have an intense impact appropriate consideration is given to impact initiatives on children. holistic, place-based approaches when attending to identified issues. Significant fluctuations in housing have embraced affordability, pressure on family We have grouped some of the income, changing work patterns and issues and potential opportunities a new way of mobility, casualization of some labour into preliminary focus categories markets, and the availability of key to help inform our actions. These seeing, learning and services are some of the factors that Big 5 domains fit with the ARACY can vary substantially across the region Wellbeing Wheel and with national and and are likely to continue to be volatile international studies of child growth doing that marries in the future. and wellbeing.

emergent solutions Engaging with our communities in the co-design, implementation with intentional and evaluation of our work is fundamental to the Every Child CQ’s aspirations. Building community capacity, strengthening community outcomes. connectedness and nurturing community leadership will be key components of the ongoing development that will underpin this initiative. It must be woven throughout the strategy, actions, and Kania and Kramer, 2013 measurement practices, because ultimately the outcomes for children are owned by the community—the partners and stakeholders who are actively seeking positive results for children. It would be presumptuous to proffer solutions to any areas of concern at this early stage and eminently unwise to predict the nature of actions that will be undertaken. Suffice to say the Outcome Action Groups will form and concentrate the available expertise to design and action collaborative and innovative responses. The very nature of the complex issues and the style of the approach is that adaptive, non- linear, evolving and, in many cases unknown, actions will best serve to create the desired effect. Embracing this emergence is crucial.

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Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Next phase

It would be foolhardy to try to solve all of the problems, in our many diverse communities, simultaneously. Improving life outcomes for children will require substantial systems change as well as a significant community change in behaviours.

Essentially, we are talking about generational attention on the priority changes that will be achieved through each issues and places, position step, or phase, building upon the previous partners and stakeholders ones, to move us forward towards our desired to act collectively, set the outcomes. A concerted effort for a protracted measurement agenda and period, on a number of targeted fronts, is the start to bring together aligned key to produce desired outcomes. and aggregated efforts into outcome driven actions. We know that a fundamental paradigm shift needs to happen and new behaviours must In early 2017, we will become normative, if we are to make large- appoint a Coordinator to scale and sustained change. We envisage, lead and undertake tasks therefore, planning for at least a 5-10 year time that progress, support and frame for this initiative, and consider it to be facilitate the Every Child enduring beyond that planning horizon. CQ priorities. This will provide substantial capacity The next phase of operations will be exciting to accelerate the planned and instrumental in shaping the future of this actions and facilitate greater initiative. The initial work undertaken by the partner and stakeholder Board has been centered around establishing involvement in co-design, the necessary foundational elements on which analytics, research and to build Every Child CQ. It has taken some time collaboration. With further and persistence to propagate the vision, create community surveying the governance platform, engage others in planned, negotiations are the potential benefits and generate the right already underway to provide connections, to enable us to begin to gain sector readiness training momentum. (through ARACY), leadership Whilst some further foundational work is identification, engagement required, and will be completed, we are and development activities. now progressing to the next phase of this The partnership with a long-term initiative. This ‘beginning action’ Core Organisation will also phase will strengthen the foundations, focus be finalised.

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Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report

Benefits and challenges The process of learning to work differently is one of the cornerstones of successful innovation, but bringing people from different backgrounds and work environments together to collaborate in a different way than they have done in the past can present many challenges. Changing mindsets about sharing information, pooling resources, and doing things differently will alter the current status quo between organisations.

The benefits and opportunities that arise out of these collaborations, however, are substantial. Participants have the opportunity to all view issues through the same lens, helping to sharpen the collective vision. This increases the potential for previously unnoticed opportunities and options to be revealed. Being able to have honest and realistic discussion and debate and have the ability to engage and work in partnership with our communities towards agreement on shared priorities, represent some of the major benefits of social innovation in action.

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Every Child Central Queensland Inaugural Progress Report References

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We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this country and recognise their connection to land, About this Report wind, water and community.

This report is the product of Every Child Central Queensland (Every Child CQ). We pay our respect to them, their The full version is available on our website at: www.everychildcq.org. Research, cultures, and to the Elders both writing, editing and compilation by Mick Shearer and Sandy Lowien. Excerpts past and present. from this report may be reproduced with acknowledgement of Every Child Central Queensland. For enquiries or further information about this report, please contact us by email: [email protected]

Acknowledgements

Resources This document has been produced with support from the Every Child CQ Community Leadership Board and the Department of Communities, Child Centre for Social Impact. Safety and Community Services. Proudly designed, printed and sponsored by www.csi.edu.su FMSTUDIOS. CQUniversity Australia. We acknowledge the contributions of the current Board members who continue www.cqu.edu.au to believe in the Every Child CQ dream, and who have provided useful feedback and comments for this report. We also acknowledge and thank those leaders Logan Together. who helped establish the Board, and took the first steps to shape some bold www.logantogether.org.au ambitions and under-developed ideas into this innovative approach. Brad Perry, PolicyLink. www.policylink.org Michelle O’Rourke and Len Richards were founding Board members who took a leap of faith to back the emerging concept and help us start this important Queensland Council Of Social social impact driver. Services. www.qcoss.org.au As the inaugural Program Manager, Roxanne Hodda helped launch this initiative Social Leadership Australia. and skilfully herded the first clowder of cats! Victoria Homer then built upon Strive Together. this work by commencing initial engagement activities and helping to set the www.strivetogether.org Board’s foundation. Michael Rutherford and Sandy Lowien have contributed The Australian Centre for Social their time and talents and supported this initiative in many practical ways since Innovation. the launch. We particularly acknowledge the key support of Karnie Liddell and www.tacsi.org.au Matthew Cox who helped us get underway with energy. The Hive. We thank the many people who attended our Forums, Workshops and other www.thehivemtdruitt.com events and provided comments, opinions, ideas, insights and feedback. Together SA. The ability to access relevant, current data is of the utmost importance, and we www.togethersa.org.au acknowledge the providers of data, including the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Primary Health Network (PHN) Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, the Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) Notes and the Queensland Government’s Statistician’s Office, Queensland Treasury.

The Capricornia Police District is comprised of 33 police division of Disclaimer Agnes Water, Anakie, Baralaba, , Blackwater, Calliope, Capella, , The information in this publication is for general information only and has been Emerald, Emu Park, Gladstone, sourced by Every Child CQ from existing public sources and independent , Gracemere, Lakes Creek, research. As Every Child CQ cannot warrant the accuracy, completeness or Many Peaks, Marlborough, Marmor, currency of information in this publication, it remains your responsibility to , Mount Larcom, Mount evaluate this information. To the full extent permitted by law, Every Child CQ Morgan, Moura, , disclaims all liability for, or in connection with, any loss or damage suffered by Rockhampton, Rolleston, Rosedale, any person arising directly or indirectly from, or in connection with, the reliance , Tannum Sands, Theodore, on the information contained in this publication. Every Child CQ acknowledges , Westwood, Woorabinda, Wowan the information in this report many not be representative of the experience and (effective 1/7/2013). of particular communities in Central Queensland. 43