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Commissioner for Children and Young People, South Australia 2019 Ccyp Commissioner ccyp.com.au for Children and Young People, South Australia 2019 Leave No One Behind What children and young people have said about living in poverty 2 CCYP — POVERTY REPORT Commissioner’s Foreword As South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People my mandate is to promote the rights, best interests and wellbeing of all children and young people living in our State . I advocate for the views, aspirations and I have also heard that children and young rights of children and young people to be people in South Australia are very concerned affirmed, promoted and protected, working for those they see as being less included, less to give children and young people a ‘voice’ mentally well, less financially secure and less across our society . well-prepared for their future . They have told me the areas in which they would like to see I seek to influence and identify the responsibilities changes made to make life better for all and roles that public, civic and commercial children and young people in South Australia, sectors of our communities have in relation to particularly those they see who are Contents children and young people’s needs, advocating ‘doing it tough’ . for them to be positioned ‘front and centre’ in policy, practice and service delivery . In 2017, when I asked South Australian children Commissioner’s Foreword . 3 This includes advocating for the involvement and young people to tell me the ‘one thing’ of children and young people in co-designing they wanted their Commissioner to do Background . 6 services relevant to them, wherever this is for them right now, I received over 1,000 Recommendations . 9 feasible . Children and young people are the written responses and countless verbal ones . Project Context . 10 experts in their own lives and want to have While being listened to was the leading issue Overview of Project Engagement Methodology . 12 their opinions heard, taken seriously and named, tackling poverty was the second Children and Young People’s Lived Experience of Poverty in SA . 14 acted upon; in fact it is their right . most repeated area of concern, identifying it Children and Young People’s Observed Experience of Poverty in SA . 23 as something that clearly sits in the forefront Since commencing in the role, I have heard Children and Young People’s Suggestions to Address Poverty in SA . .. 27 of children and young peoples’ minds . firsthand how many children and young Next Steps . 29 people in South Australia lead happy active This concern with how to tackle poverty has lives and feel respected by adults . They value been reinforced through my one-on-one Appendix 1: Project Methodology Applied . 30 their family relationships, including those they conversations in which children and young Technical Report: Poverty Survey Analysis . 34 have with family pets . They also value their people have told me that poverty and a lack friendships, school education and learning, of resources touches many people across their culture including ethnicity, and the their communities; either themselves, their opportunities they have to participate in their close and extended family, or their friends . communities in different ways . 4 CCYP — POVERTY REPORT 5 This report aims to provide deep insight into on children and young people . They want to alleviate if not eradicate then as soon as Child poverty is real, and in a country of how children and young people understand the voices of children and young people possible . This approach is the only decent relative abundance and enduring economic poverty . It captures responses made by who live in poverty to be heard, and they one to take to the problem of poverty across growth, should not, and must not be tolerated . children and young people to questions they want to see an approach applied ‘across our State . It also requires a mindset shift and We must work together to eliminate poverty were asked about what they think poverty the community’ that allows ‘big decisions’ the destigmatising of poverty at every level in our own backyards once and for all . means, what it’s like (for some of them) to live to be made to support those who are most of our society . We can do this while also contributing to the in poverty, and what they suggest could or vulnerable to avoid poverty, with the needs of national effort to end extreme poverty around should be done about addressing it . children and young people positioned at the In this report I have purposefully embraced the world; a key target among 17 ambitious core of solutions devised . They firmly believe a child centred approach; one that recognises global sustainable development goals that Those children and young people who that it is possible to eradicate poverty in the impact of poverty on a child’s development . the world’s nations agreed to work together participated in this project had a strong South Australia and they want to be involved I have committed to listening to children to achieve by 2030 (within eleven years) at sense of justice for the ways in which in helping this be achieved by 2030 as per the and young people and to taking their views the United Nations assembly held in 2015 . society groups certain people; children, United Nations Agenda . around poverty into account . I have tried people living with a disability, people from to do this in meaningful ways, for which a refugee and migrant background, and This report does not place all recommended we are prepared to be accountable over young adults . They see that many individuals actions with government . It also looks to the long term . I have set about challenging in these groups are already in disadvantaged local schools and the broader community to ourselves and the system to bring about real positions, making them especially vulnerable identify issues around poverty that exist in our and lasting change and we invite you to join Helen Connolly to poverty . neighbourhoods . I hope it will motivate us to us in this effort . Commissioner for Children and Young People work more closely together to come up with Throughout the project young people made it solutions that can support children and young very clear to me that they want to be a part people we know who are currently living with of decision-making that impacts positively issues of poverty on a daily basis and help 6 CCYP — POVERTY REPORT 7 Background A State that prides itself on the national values These interactions have been undertaken in diverse Children and young people have told me that of a fair go and justice for all, must act to ensure spaces and places, with groups of children and young they want a ‘system’ that is kind, inclusive and children and young people in South Australia have people representing all ages, backgrounds, abilities, participatory. They want services that embrace adequate nutritious food, their own bed, suitable cultures, ethnicities, and genders . They have included these values and therefore are trustworthy, shoes and clothing, opportunities to go on school South Australian children and young people who respectful and accountable to them. trips, and to enjoy an occasional family outing . live with challenging life circumstances, and others We must create opportunities for those ‘less who have family backgrounds of varying abilities, When children and young people asked me to find fortunate’ to play regular sport, or participate in an health levels, dispositions and aspirations . solutions to the issues they face, it is these values activity of interest to them, such as learning to play they told me must underpin the solutions devised . a musical instrument or develop an artistic talent . My conversations and consultations have been broad, If the future they envisage for themselves and others covering an analysis of what is important to children is to be achieved these values must be foremost in our ‘Poverty is not a choice, and young people, as well as what is not working for minds when designing solutions, ideally in consultation them, and what they would change if they could. with them . it is a societal failing.’ I have had general conversations about their hopes and These shared values were expressed universally, (Female, 18) dreams, their aspirations and their futures . I have had whether or not the children and young people saw targeted conversations on specific subjects ranging themselves as someone doing well, struggling, or By not addressing these foundational needs we from bullying and digital access, to digital safety, gaming doing it tough; ie someone just trying their best to miss the earliest and best possible period to and esports . We’ve talked about kindness, compassion survive day-to-day . intervene and prevent poverty taking hold in a child’s and trust, as well as what it’s like living with a disability, life . Addressing any inadequacies early, during a or managing a mental health issue over the short or Children and young people shared their concerns that time when investment will have the greatest and long term . I’ve explored specific subjects and issues children living in poverty really do struggle to have their most lasting return, ensures children and young including skate parks, what it’s like visiting a parent gifts and talents developed . They know that education people can enjoy a future that has positive health, or sibling in prison, or dealing with the law, and how levels that enable a person to live a ‘comfortable’ life are social, educational and lifestyle outcomes . best to create youth friendly, welcoming spaces, much harder to achieve for those who live in poverty . places and communities . Children and young people who are currently living Importantly they also recognise that we all live in a in poverty in South Australia have a fundamental As a result of these firsthand interactions, I feel I can community that must take into account how well others right to a positive future, which must not be confidently represent the views of South Australian are doing .
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