Commission for Children and Young People Victoria

"Everyone deserves the right to get an education, it's a basic human right and children and young people in out-of-home care deserve the same opportunities as their peers" - Jackie, Youth Council Member. Jackie and Commissioner Liana Buchanan spoke with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for this story about children in care and their experiences in schools. It's clear that there is more work to do to make sure children and young people in care have the same opportunities as their peers. 📰 Read the ABC story here: https://lnkd.in/g9rGu7G8 💻 Read Jackie's full story on Youth Voices: https://lnkd.in/gFhJJ9xd 🔊 Listen to the story here: https://lnkd.in/g8MMrY4N

Over the Christmas and New Year period, we will have some closures and reduced hours of operation. Please visit our website for details of our hours during this time: https://lnkd.in/g2W2yBNz   We wish everyone a safe festive season!

As the year draws to a close, we’re reflecting on some highlights from 2024. As always, we have been working hard to uphold the rights of children and young people in Victoria.   2025 will be no exception! Thank you to everyone who has been working hard to keep children and young people safe, we look forward to working with you in the new year. Don't forget to sign-up to our email list to keep up to date with the Commission in 2025: https://lnkd.in/dW6cff8v   To see our hours of operation over the Christmas and New Year period, please visit: https://lnkd.in/g2W2yBNz

Racism is a difficult topic to talk about. How do we approach it?   All children and young people have the right to feel respected and valued. This Human Rights Week, please take two minutes to watch this video featuring Commissioner Meena Singh and our Youth Council member, Elias. They unpack conversations about racism and why it’s so important to address, even when it might be uncomfortable.   It’s up to all of us to call out racism and create culturally safe environments for all children and young people. To watch the full video, head to: https://lnkd.in/gHsFbZ4u   You can also find more helpful resources and tips about cultural safety on our website: https://lnkd.in/gzJEqhHZ   While these conversations are difficult… “it can make it a little bit easier for children and young people, to know that when they raise these things they’ll be listened to and they’ll be heard” – Meena Singh.

"No one should be left behind" - Jasmine, CCYP Youth Council.   In November 2023, our inquiry into the educational experiences of children and young people in out-of-home care was tabled in Parliament.   One year on, we're reflecting on what's happened in the last 12 months and what still needs to change.   Thank you to everyone who is continuing to push for improvements, including the children and young people in out-of-home care involved in our inquiry.   Every voice matters.   Find our report here: https://lnkd.in/gq2geUCu

'Australia’s top officials for children and young people hold grave concerns about the rushed process and lack of clarity surrounding the Federal Government’s social media legislation, which will place significant restrictions on social media use for under 16s.' Australian and New Zealand Children's Commissioners have released a joint statement on the social media ban for children and young people. Read more and access the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/gq2jPJPx

Today we celebrate International Day of People with Disability and the start of Human Rights Week 2024. Let’s reflect on the importance of safety, respect and quality in disability services. People with disability including those with mental illness or psychological distress deserve to be provided with access to a diverse mix of care and support services and to feel confident that the support they receive is safe, inclusive and empowers them to live life their way. The Victorian Disability Worker Commission is here to ensure people with disability can assess this support. The theme of International Day for People with Disability this year focuses on the leadership by people with disability. Here at the VDWC, we see this every day as the largest group of people who bring complaints to us are people with disability themselves. They are courageously making the system better for everyone, so to support their leadership, we call on service providers and support workers to also let us know about disrespectful and unsafe services. To do now: Watch our video – ‘VDWC Complaints Service, below. https://lnkd.in/g_t5stcZ If you use disability services you want to feel confident that you are receiving safe, quality support to live life your way. If you have concerns about the support you are receiving, you have the right to make a complaint. Complaints are not just about identifying issues – they’re an important part of improving safety and accountability across the disability sector. To do this week: It’s a right for people with disability to have access to quality and safe services and it is their right to participate fully in life. By speaking up, you contribute to making a safer, stronger sector. Follow the steps below and head to https://lnkd.in/gMznZgqy to find out more about our complaints service and how to make a complaint. 1. Read our complaints factsheet - https://lnkd.in/ggQQXgxK... 2. View our ‘Who to contact to make a complaint about a disability service or worker’ flyer - https://lnkd.in/g2ZqJRPV... #HRWVic2024 #idpwd2024 #SaferStrongSector #DisabilityVictoria

Who has to comply with Child Safe Standard 1? All organisations that are subject to the Child Safe Standards must meet the requirements of all 11 Standards. This includes Child Safe Standard 1. In this video, Commissioner Meena Singh and Elias from our Youth Council talk about why cultural safety is important for all organisations. To learn more, head to: https://lnkd.in/gzJEqhHZ Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/gDMjSAbA

In 2023-24 we encountered some common compliance issues with the Child Safe Standards. Take a look at the common themes below and consider whether your organisation needs to make any changes. Common compliance issues included: - Poor screening of potential employees or volunteers  - Failing to manage risks during investigations of workers and volunteers  - A lack of complaints-handling policies and procedures  - Failing to address emotional abuse. You can read more about our Child Safe Standards findings in our most recent Annual report: https://lnkd.in/gpwzsRBp For help with any of these issues or complying with the Child Safe Standards, take a look at the resources section of our website: https://lnkd.in/gN5p22x4

🎬 This week we hosted a screening of the powerful documentary, Reclaimed Voices. Created by a team of young filmmakers from the African Youth Initiative (AYI), Reclaimed Voices challenges stereotypes and media representation about youth crime.   Following the screening, six brilliant panel members reflected on the messages from the film and what we can all do to help young people reclaim their stories.   Thank you to the team for sharing this documentary with us. We hope everyone gets the chance to see this amazing piece of work.