An Update from the Advocate

Dear Friend of ACYP,

The past few months have been an remarkable journey filled with significant milestones and memorable events.

At the end of June, we were thrilled to host 46 incredible young people at our YAC requirement event, which brought together inspiring young leaders and provided a platform for meaningful discussions.

Additionally, our participation in the Nations of Origin event allowed us to celebrate cultural diversity, foster stronger community connections and hear from young people about what matters to them. We also had the pleasure of hosting children and young people at the Riverside Theatre for our Showcase Film event which was a fantastic night!

Importantly, we released the final report of the Special Inquiry at the beginning of this month, marking the culmination of extensive research and collaboration. This report will serve as a crucial resource for driving positive change.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement; we look forward to sharing more exciting developments with you soon.

Special Inquiry Final Report

On Monday, 5 August 2024, the Advocate tabled the Moving Cage to Cage: Final Report of the Special Inquiry into children and young people placed into alternative care arrangements (ACAs) to NSW Parliament.

The core focus of the Special Inquiry was to understand the lived experience of children and young people in their own words and to ensure that those voices are placed squarely at the centre of future work undertaken to reform the out-of-home care (OOHC) system in NSW.

Thank you to all the children and young people who helped create this report by sharing your experiences, without which, change could not happen.

We encourage you to read the final report and watch the report video.

Special Inquiry into Children and Young People Placed into Alternative Care Arrangements NSW

Watch the Report Video

Read the ABC News article

Behind the scenes - Special Inquiry Final Report

The months leading up to the release of the final report of the Special Inquiry have been incredible busy for the myself and the ACYP team. In April, we filmed with students at Macdonald College, who gave a voice to the children and young people who participated in private hearings. We would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to them for being involved in this special inquiry project.

I also sat down with ABC News to share the reports recommendations with journalist Chantelle Al-Khouri. Lachlan also bravely shared his story of his time in ACAs. Lachlan’s testimony, like the many others shared in the report, underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure that all children in ACAs receive the care, stability, and opportunities they deserve. Link to story

YAC 2025 Recruitment event

At the end of June, we had the privilege of meeting 46 incredible young people from across NSW at the YAC Recruitment event!

The day saw applicants hear from current and previous YAC members, take part in consultations, learn about their individual strengths with the team from My Strengths, meet with Members of Parliament, and develop ideas for the Advocate Tank.

From this incredible group, we have the difficult task of selecting only 12 young people for the 2025 Youth Advisory Council and we can’t wait for you to meet them.

What's on for children and young people

Get tickets

TEDxSydney Youth 2024

We have partnered with TEDxSydney to provide a number of free tickets to young people to attend the TEDxSydney Youth 2024 event.

Date: 29 August 2024

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Venue: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta

Coupon Code: ACYP*

*Each use will give one concession/youth ticket for free, including lunch for those who book by Monday,19 August. Tickets are on a first come first serves basis until the allocation is exhausted.

Children’s Week Art Competition 2024

In collaboration with the NSW Children’s Week Council, ACYP is welcoming entries for the NSW Children’s Week 2024 Art competition.

Children’s Week runs from 19 October – 27 October 2024. The Children’s Week National Theme for 2024 is based on the UNCRC Article 24: Children have the right to a clean and safe environment.

Children and young people are invited to submit artwork that shows the ways they connect to and enjoy the environment around them.

The competition is open to all children and young people up to the age of 18 living in NSW. Group entries are allowed and encouraged.

The competition will open from Monday, 19 August and close Monday, 30 September 2024.

ACYP | What's On

Register for Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 Work Experience

Registrations are open until 1 September 2024 for ACYP's Year 10 Work Experience Program that will be held during Children's Week from Monday, 21 October 2024 – Friday, 25 October 2024.

The theme for Children's Week 2024 is based on UNCRC Article 24: Children have the right to a clean and safe environment. There are multiple events happening across this week (watch this space!) that you could have an opportunity to be a part of. You will also be asked to work with your work experience peers to develop an advocacy campaign.

Learn how to advocate on the issues you care about

Register for ACYP’s free interactive Educate 2 Advocate workshop from 5.00pm - 6.30pm on Thursday, 14 November.

Register for Educate 2 Advocate

Your Voice, Our Future Survey

The Minister for Youth wants to hear from you. Young people aged between 14 – 24 are encouraged take part in the ‘Your Voice, Our Future’ survey. Your input will help inform the NSW Government on important issues facing young people and how government can better involve them.

Complete the survey to have your say on the future of youth policy in NSW and go in the monthly draw to win a $250 gift card of your choice.

Complete the survey

2025 Youth Representative to the United Nations

Applications are open until Sunday, 25 August for the 2025 Youth Representative to the United Nations.

Apply and find out more

Complete the survey

Make a submission

Informing the First Nations Agenda

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss is inviting First Nations people across the country to help inform her agenda for the next five years.

Commissioner Kiss believes your voice is important in ensuring the priorities and challenges of First Nations people are elevated in national conversations relevant to the fulfilment of their human rights.

The survey will be open until 16 September 2024.

National Survey if LGBTQIA+ Youth Voice in Australia

Make your voice heard! Queer Youth Now is the National Survey of LGBTQIA+ Youth Voice in Australia, by Minus18.

Queer youth aged 13 to 25, this is your chance to have a say in what matters most to you.

Complete the survey

The Electoral Matters Committee wants to hear from you about civics education in schools!

The Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is conducting a survey about civics and citizenship education in Australian schools.

If you are a school student, an educator, or a recent school leaver, the Committee wants to hear from you! The survey will be open until the end of August.

Complete the survey

If you would like to know more about anything in this newsletter or have any questions, please get in touch by emailing us at acyp@acyp.nsw.gov.au.

Zoë Robinson
Advocate for Children and Young People