EMPLOYMENT
Responses to the 'Children at Work' report
As reported in the March 2007 edition of YFX, the NSW Commission for Children and Young People last year published the 'Children at Work' report, which contained 19 recommendations to improve support and working conditions for young employees. The Commission is now undertaking a number of projects as a response to these recommendations. These include:
- further research with young employees to note any changes to their workplace experiences as a result of continuing changes to industrial relations laws
- the development of a guide to help young people who are employed as babysitters and the parents who employ them. When completed, this guide will be piloted through a closed online forum on the Commission's website before being publicly released. The guide will include important information babysitters need to know about looking after children, questions to ask parents before beginning a babysitting job, what to do and what not to do while working and whom to contact if a problem occurs while babysitting. It will also include information for parents such as how to prepare for a babysitter, what to do when a babysitter arrives and what to do after returning home
- assisting other agencies with the implementation of the 'Kids at Work' recommendations.
(Source: 'exchange', newsletter of the NSW Commission for Children and Young People, n.29, autumn 2007, p.3.)
FAMILIES
AIFS releases snapshot of Australian families
To mark National Families Week (13-19 May 2007), the Australian Institute of Family Studies produced a facts sheet of statistics showing how Australian families spend their time. These statistics were drawn from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, the Growing Up in Australia: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1997 Time Use Survey. To download the facts sheet, visit the AIFS website: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/snapshots/familytime.html
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Young Australians: Their health and wellbeing 2007
This is the third national statistical report on young people in Australia. It brings together the most up-to-date national data on the health status of young Australians aged 12-24 years and the factors influencing their health. Information included ranges from self-assessed health status, disability, injury, mental health, chronic disease, communicable diseases, hospitalisations and mortality to the factors influencing health, such as family and community environments, environmental factors, socioeconomic factors and health behaviours, such as weight, physical activity, nutrition and substance use. There's a special section on the health and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. See: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10451
'Overview of children's understandings of wellbeing'
This latest publication in the NSW Commission for Children and Young People's 'Ask the Children' series outlines results from a study of wellbeing conducted in partnership with the Social Justice and Social Change Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney. The study analysed the results of interviews with 126 children and young people aged 8 to 15 years, 85 of whom were female. The study sought to address gaps in current information about children's wellbeing, which tends to concentrate on factors which negatively affect children's wellbeing and does not take into account children's own views on the subject. While nine key themes were identified in participants' discussions about wellbeing, three of these themes were identified as fundamental to children's understandings of wellbeing: agency, security and a positive sense of self. The NSW Commission for Children and Young People plans to develop a children's policy framework informed by the themes identified in this study. The survey can be downloaded from the commission's website: http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/uploads/documents/ATC_wellbeing.pdf (Source: NSW Commission for Children and Young People 2007, 'Ask the children: Overview of children's understandings of wellbeing', NSW Commission for Children and Young People, Surry Hills, NSW.)
New alcohol and pregnancy information packs
The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has recently launched an information pack containing resources to help health professionals discuss the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy with female patients of child-bearing age. These packs, which include a booklet, fact sheet and information wallet card, were developed as part of the Alcohol and Pregnancy Project, a collaboration between the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Edith Cowan University. For further information, contact Elizabeth Chester, ph: 0409 988 530. (Source: 'Partyline', Newsletter of the National Rural Health Alliance, n.30, June 2007, p.36.)
Adolescent and young people's health research forum
This forum is being held on 20 July 2007 and is organised by the University of Western Sydney's N-FORCE research group. This forum is dedicated to promoting research into the health and well being of adolescents and young people aged 10-24 years. Forum themes include connectedness and marginalisation, mental health and wellbeing, risk and resilience, health and lifestyle. Venue: University of Western Sydney, Parramatta Campus, Building EA.2.13-2.14 20 July 2007, 8.15 am – 5.30 pm For details, contact Michel Edenborough, ph: (02) 9685 9080, or email: m.edenborough[AT]uws.edu.au More about the N-FORCE research group at: http://www.uws.edu.au/research/nforce
HOMELESSNESS
Drug use and high-risk behaviour among homeless people
According to ABS data, 26,676 people were homeless in NSW on Census Night in 2001. Other research suggests that more than 1 in 3 homeless individuals are alcohol dependent and around 1 in 3 are drug dependent. A team of researchers at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre is currently investigating emerging trends in drug use and high-risk behaviour among the homeless. Their investigation aims to 'determine the mental health, physical health and drug use patterns of homeless people in metropolitan Sydney; to examine the challenges these issues present to clients and service providers alike; and to provide the framework for a large-scale cross-sectional study of these issues in rural and metropolitan NSW'. (Source: 'CentreLines', March 2007, p.3-4.)
INDIGENOUS YOUTH ISSUES
2007 is an important year for Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as it marks the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, the 15th anniversary of the Mabo Decision and the 10th anniversary of the 'Bringing them home' report. As part of the 10th anniversary of the tabling of the 'Bringing them home' report, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is producing a magazine-style publication and invites written and artistic submissions from Indigenous people that outline the personal experiences of removal from family. Entries are due by 6 July 2007. See: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/bth/
Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse
In mid-June, the Northern Territory Government made public the much-awaited report on the findings and recommendations from that state's Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse, and its findings were reported by the media far and wide. The report made 97 recommendations to wipe out child sexual abuse across the NT (see: http://www.nt.gov.au/dcm/inquirysaac/pdf/bipacsa_final_report.pdf or http://tinyurl.com/24496p). Co-author of the report, Pat Anderson, a well-known Aboriginal health specialist, said there was a strong link between the abuse and the alcoholism that is rife in many Indigenous communities. Co-chair of the inquiry, Rex Wild QC, said that while all of the communities in the Northern Territory had revealed tragic stories of abuse, he did not believe the problem stopped there, as he noted 'fundamental problems ... that require urgent attention'. The inquiry was set up by the Northern Territory Government last June amid reports of widespread child sexual abuse in some remote areas of central Australia. (Sources: Australian Policy Online website, http://tinyurl.com/yp86gq and news reports at: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21910288-1702,00.html and 'The Sydney Morning Herald', 15 June 2007, http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/child-abuse-rampant-in-nt/2007/06/15/1181414519416.html, viewed 18 June 2007.)
Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage
In early June, the Productivity Commission released the third report on Indigenous disadvantage, 'Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: Key indicators 2007'. It revealed that Aboriginal children are nearly four times as likely to be abused or neglected as non-Aboriginal children, and six times more likely to be on care or protection orders. See:
http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/Indigenous/keyindicators2007/index.html or get there via: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2f6a2f
http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/Indigenous/keyindicators2007/index.html or get there via: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2f6a2f
The Australian Indigenous Health Promotion Network
This network is dedicated to improving the health of Indigenous Australians. It's an excellent site, and anyone with an interest in working with Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Island people to promote health can apply to be a member of the network. Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who work to promote the health of their communities are particularly encouraged to join. See: http://www.Indigenoushealth.med.usyd.edu.au/
Indigenous justice clearinghouse
This clearinghouse provides a single entry point to a range of Indigenous justice research resources. Developed as a collaborative partnership between the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Attorney General’s Department of NSW, and endorsed by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, the aim of the clearinghouse is to promote discussion and disseminate relevant Indigenous justice information to government policymakers and those working in the Indigenous justice field. Features of the website include: an online forum for exchanging informal knowledge between decision makers, researchers and practitioners; a register of Indigenous justice resources; concise briefs on existing research and evaluations; and identification of areas where further research is needed. See: http://www.Indigenousjustice.gov.au
(Source: Australian Institute of Criminology, 'AIC Newsletter', n.28, p.2 March 2007.)
(Source: Australian Institute of Criminology, 'AIC Newsletter', n.28, p.2 March 2007.)
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
Innocenti Report Cards: Child poverty in perspective: An overview of child wellbeing in rich countries
This report card series focuses on the wellbeing of children in industrialised countries. Each report card includes a league table ranking the countries of the OECD according to their record on the subject under discussion. Topics covered have included child poverty and child deaths resulting from injuries. The report cards are published every six months and are 'carefully designed to appeal to a wide audience while maintaining academic rigour'. See:
http://www.unicef-irc.org/cgi-bin/unicef/series_down.sql?SeriesId=16
http://www.unicef-irc.org/cgi-bin/unicef/series_down.sql?SeriesId=16
'World Development Report 2007: Development and the next generation'
Developing countries that invest in better education, healthcare, and job training for their record numbers of young people between the ages of 12 and 24 could produce surging economic growth and sharply reduce poverty, according to a World Bank report on young people in developing countries in Singapore in September last year.
The 'World Development Report 2007' says there's never been a better time to invest in youth because they are healthier and better educated than previous generations, and will join the workforce with fewer dependents because of changing demographics. However, failure to seize this opportunity to train them more effectively for the workplace, and to be active citizens, could lead to widespread disillusionment and social tensions. The report says that most policymakers know that their young people will greatly influence their national social and economic fortunes, but nonetheless face acute dilemmas in how to invest more effectively in their youth. The 'World Development Report 2007' identifies three strategic policies that may enhance investment in young people: expanding opportunities, improving capabilities, and offering second chances for young people who have fallen behind due to difficult circumstances or poor choices. These are examined across five fundamental transitions faced by young people which go on to affect their whole lives: getting an education, finding work, staying healthy, forming families, and exercising citizenship. The report is available for download from the World Bank website: http://go.worldbank.org/X1SR1QF5M0 (Source: World Bank, 2006, 'Urgent need to invest more in developing world's record youth population, says World Development Report', media release, 16 September, viewed 7 June 2007 at: http://go.worldbank.org/KYJD05VOL0)
MEDIA
Media failures can be fatal: the irresponsible reporting of suicide and mental illness puts more youth at risk
It's timely once again to remind media outlets of the serious consequences that flow from a failure to follow the guidelines that have been developed about the reporting of suicide and mental illness. Those guidelines are at http://www.mindframe-media.info and the media's attention was drawn to them by Inspire Foundation's Founder Jack Heath in a May media release: 'Recent tragic events highlight the need to alert young people to online support services such as Reach Out ... in addition to telephone counselling services ... Citing support services is a key element in the National Media Guidelines on Reporting on Suicide and Mental Illness. These guidelines are specifically designed to avoid causing harm, inducing copycat behaviour, and increasing stigma. 'Disturbingly, recent media coverage has transgressed many of these guidelines and potentially put more young people at risk.'
Given that young people are 'twice as likely to go online than contact either a counsellor, teacher, doctor, minister or youth worker, and are three to six times more likely to go online than call a telephone helpline', services like Reach Out play a crucial role in supporting and comforting distressed and desperate people. Reach Out is one of three services from Inspire Foundation, which was formed in 1996 in response to Australia's then escalating rates of youth suicide. Their other services are ActNow, a website that enables young people to take action on issues that affect them and their community (http://www.actnow.com.au); and Beanbag, which partners with youth centres around Australia to provide educational, employment and social opportunities for young people living in Australia's most disadvantaged communities (http://www.beanbag.net.au).
MENTAL HEALTH
Self-harm: Queensland initiative on self-harm seeks participants ...
a) For professionals: Queensland-based doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, police, paramedics, youth workers and other professionals are asked to consider taking part in a project lead by Prof. Graham Martin at the University of Queensland to develop a best-practice CD training tool for Queensland professionals on the issue of young people and self-harm. The project is funded by the Queensland Department of Communities. The researchers are seeking approximately 80 Queensland professionals who regularly encounter young people who self-harm to participate in a telephone or face-to-face interview of about 10 to 60 minutes duration, or in a focus group discussion of about one to two hours duration. For more information contact Tracey Kay: ph: (07) 3365 5283; email: t.kay[AT]uq.edu.au
b) For young people: During June/July 2007, the researchers will also be conducting focus groups with a total of 40 young people who have engaged in deliberate self-harm, and the researchers invite young people aged 13 to 25 who live in Queensland and who have hurt themselves on purpose to take part in a group interview with four to 10 other young people. Participants will be given $25 for their time. For more information, contact Tracey Kay: ph: (07) 3365 5283; email: t.kay[AT]uq.edu.au
Self harm explained
Prof. George Patton and Janet Stone of the Centre Adolescent Health, along with Dr Andrew Chanen of ORYGEN Youth Health are holding a seminar on self-harm on 2 August 2007 at the Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville (with remote linkage). For details, contact Merran Guest, Centre for Adolescent Health, email: merran.guest[AT]rch.org.au; website: http://www.rch.org.au/cah
Reach Out! Pro -- for mental health professionals working with youth
Reach Out is planning a new website specifically to meet the needs of professionals working with young people around their mental health difficulties. Reach Out! Pro will provide professionals with sector-specific information, evidence-based fact sheets, online tutorials to support professional development with technology, best practice case studies within a holistic care model, and an interactive space for professionals to engage in discussions and networking. To gauge the needs of professionals for this new service, they invite input for their online survey at: http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB226J75HRG2D For more information about Reach Out Pro and upcoming focus groups, send an email to: info[AT]reachoutpro.com.au (Source: Email, 8 June 2007 to Youth Field Xpress, from rebecca[AT]inspire.org.au)
BRAVE for treating anxiety
At the University of Queensland, The Kids Coping Team have developed an internet-based treatment program, BRAVE, for the treatment of childhood anxiety. It consists of two separate research studies for children one for those aged eight and 12 years, the other for adolescents between 13 and 17 years. The program, based on cognitive-behavioural principles, involves weekly sessions with the child and their parents. For details on the project, and for participants, see: http://www.psy.uq.edu.au/webexp/kidscoping
'Children's fears, hopes and heroes: Modern childhood in Australia'
The report, released in June and was published by the Australian Childhood Foundation in partnership with the National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse at Monash University and Quantum Market Research, examines this topic through the results of an online survey of a national sample of 600 children and young people aged between 10 and 14 years. See: http://www.childhood.org.au/research/reports.asp (Source: Email from the National Child Protection Clearinghouse, 6 June 2007.)