Tuesday, October 25, young people with an out-of-home care experience will be consulting with and interviewing key government representatives and child protector sector leaders, to ensure their lived experiences continue to positively impact the lives of tomorrow’s children in care. Lived experience sharing has become a key influence where community change is needed most and the “Hour of Power” is THE forum for the care sector, putting young people in the driver’s seat!
As the November state election date approaches, this Hour of Power (HOP) gives young people the power to present their views, drawing on their lived experiences, speak up about policy ideas and ask questions directly to politicians.
In turn, the HOP provides key decision makers with an opportunity to listen to young people with a care experience sharing their perspective and lived experience insights on the key areas needing immediate change in Victoria.
CREATE Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jacqui Reed says that CREATE has been empowering young people through providing this outstanding forum for the past 7 years.
“The HOP brings together the child protection sector representatives, young people and the government that provides care and protection for our most vulnerable people.”
“Young people’s lived experiences in care are receiving the respect they deserve as the true experts in this area. Victoria has led the way by regularly connecting young people with senior decision makers to influence policy and the HOP presents an opportunity to keep listening to the voices of young people. This election CREATE calls for out-of-home are to become an election priority.”
Presented by CREATE Foundation, with the support of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, the 2022 Election HOP features distinguished guests: Hon. Minister Colin Brooks, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services; Minister for Disability, Aging and Carers; Dr Matthew Bach, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and Youth Justice, Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs; Samantha Ratnam, Leader of the Victorian Greens Party; and Fiona Patten, Leader of the Reason Party; Liana Buchan, Principle Commissioner for Children and Young People; Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People; Deb Tsobaris, CEO, the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.
Since 2015 the HOP has been a unique platform to impact the direction of the out-of-home care sector. Now it is time to make out-of-home care an election priority.
Details: 1-4:30pm Tuesday 25th, October,2022, at Melbourne Museum Theatre, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria.
CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience (including kinship care, foster care and residential care). CREATE develops policy and research to report on and advocate for a better care system.
For more information please visit the CREATE website at www.create.org.au
CREATE acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which we all live and work. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging.
For further comment from CREATE’s Chief Executive, Ms Jacqui Reed, and/or a young person with care experience contact Leigh White, CREATE Media Advisor, via (m) 0431 932 122 or leigh.white@create.org.au
Key statistics on the care sector in Australia:
- 46,212 children and young people were reported in 2020-21 as living in out-of-home care across Australia (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2022).
- Young people in out-of-home care are 16 times more likely to be under a youth justice order than the general population.
- 35% of young people experience homelessness within the first year of leaving care
- 46% of males have been involved with the justice system since leaving care
- 29% of young people who have left care or preparing to leave care are unemployed
- 36% children and young people in care do not live with any of their siblings
- 35% of young people in care have five or more caseworkers during their time in care
- 67% of young people in care over the age of 15 are not aware of having a leaving care plan
McDowall, J. J. (2018). Out-of-home care in Australia: Children and young people’s views after five years of National Standards. CREATE Foundation.
McDowall, J. J. (2020). Transitioning to adulthood from out-of-home care: Independence or interdependence? CREATE Foundation.
