The eighth survey of Mission Australia has just been announced. Each year, Mission Australia's national survey asks young people aged 11 to 24 about what they value, their issues of concern, where they go for advice and support, and what activities they are involved in. Surveys can be completed until 26 June and the findings will be released later in the year. The survey is a great opportunity for young people to have a say about the issues that affect them. Results from previous years have been an effective advocacy tool for improving services for young people. The survey is available online at http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey. Hard copies and PDFs of the survey are also available (from Susie Scherf at scherfs@missionaustralia.com.au or by phoning (02) 9219 2098).

In 'Stories of early school leaving: Pointers for policy and practice', Janet Taylor of the Brotherhood of St Laurence presents the stories of eight young people who left school early. Their stories "illustrate some of the policy issues for the school to work transition", such as measures to improve school retention, youth income support and associated mutual obligation, the provision of training and employment, and help with accessing services. These eight young people had left school between the ages of 14 and 16, and were interviewed about their experiences when they were aged 17. Each had been a participant in the Brotherhood of St Laurence's Life Chances Study. This is a longitudinal study that has followed some 140 young people since their birth in Melbourne in 1990. The eight came from a variety of family backgrounds; some had experienced disadvantage; some had longstanding learning difficulties; by age 17, two were no longer living with their parents. The young people's individual pathways since leaving school were complex and included trying to re-engage with the education system, trying to find work and using employment services and other support agencies. Their stories highlight some of the "complexities and ambivalence" that young people experience when seeking work or post-school training, and show how school, work and training fit in their individual lives. The report author, Janet Taylor, says that the young people's stories "highlight the importance of schools recognising young people's diverse needs for support and encouragement, both within and beyond the classroom". While pointing out that school "may not be for everyone", she says that schools could help to retain students by "providing better support for those with learning and behaviour difficulties, ensuring a safe environment, and providing active support for students returning to school or moving to new schools". The study is available as a PDF from the BSL website: http://www.bsl.org.au/main.asp?PageId=67#Lifechances (Source: 'Brotherhood Comment', November 2008, p.7.)

The ACYS website news section has been revamped, see: http://www.acys.info/news Please use the features on the site to contribute your news to this newsletter. Contributions are always welcomed, space permitting.

In the NSW Ombudsman's 'Annual report 2007-2008', NSW Ombudsman Bruce Barbour expressed concern that some schools and agencies working with children and young people were failing to identify and address instances of the grooming of children by staff members. The Ombudsman highlighted the dangers of grooming behaviour -- when adults form inappropriately intimate relationships with children and young people in their care -- even when these relationships do not lead to sexual abuse. The report can be downloaded from the Ombudsman's website: http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/AnnualReport2008.html (Source: 'YAPRap', v.18, n.11, 2008, p.10.)

This paper, by Prof. Brad Haseman and Dr Luke Jaaniste, was published by the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) in 2008 (CHASS occasional paper n.7). It identifies 31 documents that are the core "arts and innovation" literature in Australia, and from them, the authors derive their central proposition: that Australia should include the arts in its innovation agenda. They argue that the arts build a culture of innovation and also produce new knowledge through research in and through the arts, and that the creative industries have a significant contribution to make in economic activity.
CHASS builds community recognition and resources for the humanities, the arts and the social sciences so that they contribute fully to a prosperous, innovative, creative and inclusive Australia. CHASS members include universities, research centres, professional associations, arts training institutions and creative industry groups. Contact details: Ms Helen O'Neil, Executive Director, Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, ph: (02) 6201 2740; email: director@chass.org.au (Source: Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS), 'Challenges ahead for the arts and Australia's innovation system', media release, 15 April 2009, http://www.chass.org.au/media/, and CHASS occasional paper n.7, 'The arts and Australia's national innovation system 1994-2008: Arguments, recommendations, challenges', by B. Haseman and L. Jaaniste, November 2008.)

This 2008 report was commissioned to investigate the changes that the NSW child protection system needed to make in order to provide more effective services to protect children and meet future demand. The key principles which underpin this inquiry's reforms are that "child protection is the collective responsibility of the whole of government and of the community. Primary responsibility for rearing and supporting children and young people should rest with families and communities, and with government providing support where it is needed, either directly or through the funded non-government sector". The child protection system in New South Wales consists of much more than the Department of Community Services (DoCS). It includes NSW Health through its Area Health Services and the Children's Hospital at Westmead, which fund and deliver many services for children, young people and their families to prevent or minimise harm. In addition, the departments of Education and Training, Juvenile Justice and Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Housing NSW and NSW Police offer programs, funding and services that range from breakfast programs to diversionary sentencing options for young people, respite for parents of children with disabilities, and housing and youth support activities. The challenge facing all child protection systems in Australia, and NSW in particular, is "sufficiently resourcing flexible prevention and early intervention services so as to reduce the numbers of children and young people who require the state to step in to keep them safe". The executive summary and the report in full are at: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/cpsinquiry (SOURCE: Australian Policy Online, http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=270379, viewed 3 April 2009.)

This NSW Department of Community Services report is a response to the Wood Report, the NSW Government's Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW. It outlines the NSW Government's five-year action plan to improve young people's safety and wellbeing in NSW. The PDF of the report is at: http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/lib100040/keep_them_safe.pdf or http://tinyurl.com/dn9h6t (PDF). (SOURCE: Australian Policy Online, http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=270382, viewed 3 April 2009.)

'childprotect' is the National Child Protection Clearinghouse's moderated e-discussion list. It "provides a venue for scholarly discussion of child maltreatment and child protection research, policy and practice issues". To join this list, send an email to: majordomo@aifs.gov.au (leave the 'subject' field blank and write the words 'subscribe childprotect' in the body of the email). For further information, visit the NCPC website: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/join/dlist.html (Source: 'NCPC Newsletter', v.16, n.2, 2008, p.2.)

In December 2008, the Social Policy Research Centre hosted a workshop titled 'Young Carers in Global Context'. The purpose of the workshop was "to disseminate findings from three SPRC projects concerned with understanding the needs of young carers - children and young people who are informal carers for people with disability or chronic illness". Three papers were presented at the workshop: 'Young carers: Their characteristics and geographical distribution', presented by Dr Trish Hill and Cathy Thomson (SPRC); 'Young carers: Identifying supportive policies and programs - some ideas from the field', presented by Professor Bettina Cass (SPRC); and 'Young carers: Global perspectives', presented by Professor Saul Becker (Nottingham University). The workshop also included a cross-sectoral panel discussion in which panellists representing community organisations and the federal, NSW and South Australian governments presented and discussed a range of key research issues and policy and program ideas. The workshop program and two of the three papers (Professor Cass's and Professor Becker's) are available from the SPRC website: http://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/Workshops/Young_Carers/Young_Carers_Workshop.html (Source: 'SPRC Newsletter', n.101, 2009, pp.10-11.)

In 2008, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre published findings from a Drug Policy Modelling Program review of diversion programs for offenders who commit drug and drug-related crimes. The review found that, as of July 2007, there were 51 diversion programs for drug and drug-related offenders in operation around the country. These programs were classified into five major types: police diversion for cannabis only, police diversion for other illicit drugs, police diversion for youth or other drug-related offenders, court diversion for minor drug/drug-related offenders and court diversion for serious drug/drug-related offenders. Different states and territories tended to have different approaches to these programs. The main differences related to the number of programs offered, access to programs and jurisdictional priorities. A key challenge for the future of these programs is identifying which program aspects lead to effective outcomes. The authors of the review note that much research is needed in this area. Findings from the review were published as Drug Policy Modelling Program Monograph n.16, 'A summary of diversion programs for drug and drug-related offenders in Australia' (by Caitlin Hughes and Alison Ritter), which is available for download from the DPMP website: http://www.dpmp.unsw.edu.au/DPMPWeb.nsf/page/Monographs (Source: 'Of Substance', v.7, n.2, 2009, pp.20-21.)

Last month, the federal government's legislation to increase the tax on pre-mixed alcoholic drinks by 70 per cent was voted down in the Australian Parliament, thereby denying the government of revenue to the tune of $1.6 billion over the next four years. Now the news is that the legislation will be re-introduced in the Budget sitting of Parliament in May (Department of Health and Ageing, 'Government to re-introduce alcopops measure', media release, 15 April 2009, http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr09-nr-nr040.htm or http://tr.im/iRQC )
News of this second bid to impose a price increase on pre-mixed drinks has been applauded by some experts in the health sector and in the alcohol and drugs sectors. The Australian Drug Foundation, the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and Cancer Council Victoria supported the proposed changes in their submission to the government's Inquiry into Ready-to-Drink Alcohol Beverages (at http://www.adf.org.au/article.asp?ContentID=rtdinquiry). A recent Druginfo Clearinghouse factsheet (http://tr.im/iRS0) and the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth 'ARACY weekly update' of 15 April 2009 both focused on the issue of alcopops, but some health experts are going further, calling for a move to make alcohol more expensive, or for a raise to the legal drinking age in Australia (ABC News, 'Lift booze prices, drinking age: Health experts', by James Bennett, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/13/2541798.htm).
The Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) applauded the government's decision to re-introduce the alcopops taxation legislation, saying that "the fact that this action must be taken was further highlighted over Easter with the release by Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute of a 10-year report showing there is no safe or sensible level of drinking for adolescents". The research found that teenagers who drank alcohol, even at the level recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council, increased their likelihood of encountering problems in their later years with alcohol abuse, social and legal problems, or alcohol-related high-risk sexual behaviour. (Source: ADCA 'Update' email posting, 15 April; 'ADCA applauds action on alcopops', media release, 15 April 2009, http://www.adca.org.au .)

This is the first central online service in Australia that provides information about inhalant abuse. The service is designed to provide information, research and support for the Australian community, parents and teachers, alcohol and other drug workers, police and health professionals. Currently the service is inviting people to complete their survey, at: http://www.inhalantsinfo.org.au

The NCPIC is trialling an intervention that offers psychological treatment through the mail. Mail delivery has proved to be successful with other issues, such as physical and mental health, and tobacco and alcohol use, and comes with advantages such as low cost and accessibility to anyone with a fixed address. The method of treatment that the NCPIC is trialling includes cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and adherence strategies. Those who are literate in English, over 18, and want to either quit or reduce their cannabis use are eligible to participate in the NCPIC trial. Participants will be reimbursed $30 for costs incurred. Health workers can contact NCPIC for flyers that advertise the project. For more information, or to find out about referral pathways, phone (02) 9385 0449 or email: d.boughtwood@unsw.edu.au

In the lead-up to World Drug Day (26 June: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking) the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is developing a website for its new global campaign against drugs. Their campaign website will be expanded over the coming months, keep an eye on: http://www.unodc.org/drugs (Source: email, AYIN e-list, and UNDOC, 'UNODC launches "pro-health" drug campaign on World Health Day', media release, http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2009-04.07.html, viewed 17 April 2009.)

'Integration: Research - policy - practice' is the theme for this year's Australian Winter School, hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Queensland (ADFQ). To be held in Brisbane from 25-27 May, this year's Australian Winter School "brings together professionals addressing alcohol and other drugs across health, education, law enforcement, corrections, policy and research. Its major emphasis is on the practical implementation and implications of research and policy, combined with the showcasing of innovative programs". For further information about the Winter School, visit http://www.winterschool.info (Source: Australian Winter School registration brochure, viewed 7 April 2009.)

The Australian Technical College Sunshine (Victoria), one of the technical colleges established by the Howard government to address Australia's skills shortage, has established a participatory mechanism for its students in order to give them a voice within the decision-making structures of the college, improve school connectedness and have a positive impact on student retention rates. In an article in the December 2008 edition of 'Connect' magazine, Student Wellbeing Coordinator Carolyn Papageorge gives her reflections on the organisational challenges involved in establishing the college's Student Senate and outlines the activities of the Student Senate during its first year of operation in 2008, as well as its plans for 2009. She also gives a brief overview of some of the academic literature that supports student participation. (Source: 'Connect', n.174, 2008, pp.3-5.)

In October 2008, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training opened its inquiry into how secondary students cope with balancing school and work commitments. This month, the committee has begun a series of interstate hearings within secondary schools, travelling to Adelaide, Perth, Burnie, Melbourne, Brisbane and Port Kembla to gain firsthand evidence from students, teachers, careers advisers and representatives from parents and friends' groups. An online survey has also been established to collect evidence for the inquiry from students in years 10, 11 and 12. More than 1,000 students have already completed this survey. The survey is available online and will be open until at least the end of May. To access the survey, visit: http://www.aph.gov.au/studentsurvey
Individuals and organisations interested in making a written submission to the inquiry should contact the committee secretariat on (02) 62774573. For further information, visit the inquiry website: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/edt/schoolandwork/index.htm (Source: House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training 2009, 'Committee to visit secondary schools to discuss school/work balance', media release, 6 April, viewed 6 April 2009, http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/edt/schoolandwork/media.htm ; House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training 2009, 'Over 1,000 students have their say on balancing school with part-time work', media release, 25 March, viewed 6 April 2009, http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/edt/schoolandwork/media.htm )

The Australian education magazine 'Education Review', published by APN Educational Media with support from the Australian College of Educators, is now free to read online. The magazine is an excellent source of news for primary and secondary educators across Australia. Current and archived editions of 'Education Review' can be viewed at: http://www.educationreview.com.au (Source: 'Education Review', March 2009, p.21.)

In March 2009, Teaching Australia published the findings from a study conducted by the Victoria University School of Education to identify the characteristics of effective, sustainable partnerships between schools and university teacher education facilities, particularly as they relate to pre-service teachers' school experience programs. Researchers selected seven exemplary partnerships to be the subject of detailed case studies. The study found that these partnerships were characterised by trust, mutuality and reciprocity, and that effective and sustainable partnerships involved a focus on learning for all stakeholders, led all stakeholders to adopt altered relationship practices and constructed new enabling structures within the partner institutions. In terms of resources, effective and sustainable partnerships require stakeholders to contribute personal and professional resources as well as institutional resources, and to adopt a shared language. The study also highlighted the need for these partnerships to receive institutional support and recognition in order to be truly effective and sustainable. The report 'Effective and sustainable university-school partnerships: Beyond determined efforts by inspired individuals', which includes a set of inquiry tools to enable stakeholders to investigate and develop their own partnership activities, can be downloaded from the Teaching Australia website: http://www.teachingaustralia.edu.au (Source: 'Education Review', March 2009, p.7.)

In the March 2009 edition of 'Professional Educator', Catholic Education Office (Sydney) Director of Curriculum Seamus O'Grady offers his reflections on the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians, announced by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) in December 2008. The Melbourne Declaration, which replaces the 1999 'Adelaide Declaration', sets the direction for Australian schooling for the next 10 years. The goals were developed by the education ministers in collaboration with the Catholic and independent school sectors after public consultation on the draft declaration. The two goals put forward as part of this declaration are: 1) that "Australian schooling promotes equity and excellence", and 2) that "all young Australians become successful learners, confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens". O'Grady says that "movement towards these goals ... should facilitate much deeper and wider learning by better adjusted students". However, he acknowledges that the move to personalise learning implicit in these goals "cannot be achieved under the existing funding arrangements". He also suggests that the Melbourne Declaration "could herald a new era in the state-federal partnership for Australian education", and highlights the eight-point plan for collaborative action contained within the 'MCEETYA Action Plan 2009-2012' as the point "where the rubber really hits the road". The Melbourne Declaration and the MCEETYA Action Plan are available from the MCEETYA website: http://www.mceetya.edu.au Input from stakeholders on MCEETYA's Melbourne Declaration, consultation draft action plan can be found at http://tr.im/iQDU (PDF document). (Source: 'Australian Education Digest', v.3, n.12, 14 April 2009. The digest is issued each week by the Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO), http://www.acsso.org.au/aed.htm; and 'Professional Educator', v.8, n.1, 2009, pp.26-27.)

In March the Higher Education Supplement of 'The Australian' reported that many Australian universities had noticed an increase in the number of applications and enrolments they have received in the past year, particularly in vocational disciplines such as law, business, engineering, teaching and science. According to the article, at 15 Australian universities (including five Group of Eight universities and a number of technological and regional universities), enrolment numbers have increased by an average of 6.5 per cent in the past year. Universities Australia chief executive Glenn Withers suggested that these increases were due to the uncertain economic climate. "In difficult times school leavers will seek the security of university degrees. We know the income and employment opportunities are strong for graduates," he said. (Source: 'The Australian' Higher Education Supplement, 25 March 2009, pp.29, 30.)

The 21st National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) report, 'What price the clever country?' looks at Australian tertiary students today -- who they are, how they cover costs of living while studying, how much they pay for university compared to the rest of the world, how their HECS debts get repaid and the financial value of a tertiary qualification over their lifetime. The report concludes that, while there has been much discussion about the so-called "instant gratification generation", tertiary students are "willing to forego income while studying, in recognition of the long-term financial gains". This report shows the sacrifices being made by students are "all worthwhile -- the majority of households with a HECS debt are among those with the highest incomes. The initial financial burden is more than made up for with the financial gains that follow over a lifetime". The PDF report is at: http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/21/219073/infocus/21nov.pdf or http://tr.im/j1hU (SOURCE: Australian Policy Online, http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=271876, viewed 3 April 2009.)

This year the University of Sydney is embarking on a scheme to encourage more students from disadvantaged areas to enrol at university. The scheme involves raising awareness about and familiarity with the concept of university among disadvantaged primary and secondary school students by having university students and teachers visit their classrooms. Primary school students involved in the scheme will also go on excursions to the university campus, while high school students will take part in faculty-based activities at university. The scheme received federal funding late last year. This story was reported on the 'Sydney Morning Herald' website in December 2008: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/underprivileged-students-focus-of-campaign/2008/12/17/1229189709673.html (Source: 'YAPRap', v.19, n.2, 2009, pp.3-4.)

Non-profit and community organisations, employment services providers are among those eligible to apply for grants through the $200 million Get Communities Working initiative, which aims to provides grants for innovative employment and social projects that build community resilience. The initiative is part of the Australian Government's Jobs Fund to support and create jobs and skills development through projects that build community and social infrastructure. The closing time and date for proposals is Friday 22 May 2009. Explore the DEEWR website for details at http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Pages/JobsFund.aspx and http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Pages/JobsFundfirstcallforproposals.aspx