HOT OFF THE PRESS

As Youth Field Xpress was being prepared for publication this week, three important developments in the youth sector arose:

1. Have your say in the nationwide conversations on a national strategy for young Australians

   On Thursday 22 October, the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and the Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, launched the start of national conversations about a national strategy for young Australians -- an important opportunity for 'young people, the youth sector and the community to help shape the government's National Strategy for Young Australians through online events, local and national forums and face-to-face discussions'.

   Make your contribution to the national conversation before 19 November 2009. To see how to have your say, visit: http://www.youth.gov.au/ayf/Ideas/DiscussionForum.aspx?TopicID=21

   Source: Australian Youth Forum website; and media releases: Challenging Australia's young people for fresh ideas, joint media release, 22 October 2009, http://www.alp.org.au/media/1009/mspmyou221.php, and Australian Government, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, National Conversation with Young Australians, media release, http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_091022_131042.aspx)

2. The State of Australia's young people: A report on the social, economic, health and family lives of young people

   On Thursday 22 October, as Youth Field Xpress was being prepared for publication, the report, The State of Australia's young people: A report on the social, economic, health and family lives of young people, was made public. It will be described in more detail in the November edition, but YFX believes its findings are based on the past five years' national data sources, existing literature, interviews and focus groups with young people and people in the youth sector. Launching the report, Minister Kate Ellis said, 'Focusing on improving the lives of young Australians delivers great social, economic and community benefits and means a happier and healthier country into the future'. (Source: Australian Government, Kate Ellis MP Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, Digital age, safety and alcohol pose challenge for young, 22 October, 2009 media release, http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_091022_081047.aspx)

   The findings of the wide-ranging report include:

   • Nine out of ten 17-year-olds use a mobile phone;
   • Nine out of ten families have an Internet connection;
   • Almost a quarter of young people feel unsafe walking alone at night;
   • Young people are more likely to be the victim of a crime but less likely to report it;
   • Of all age groups, those aged 15 - 19 have the highest hospitalisation rate for acute intoxication;
   • One in five 16-year-olds have used illicit drugs;
   • One in three sexually active young people report experiencing unwanted sex;
   • One in four young people are living with a mental illness.

   The State of Australia's young people shows that some young people are at greater risk of falling behind than others, particularly those who are Indigenous, from a low socioeconomic background, aren't studying or working, and those who have a disability.

3. $10 million in funding for five new youth community centres

   Coinciding with the launch of the nationwide consultation on the Australian Government's National Strategy for Young Australians, the Australian Government also announced funding of $10 million to set up five new youth community centres across Australia. The Youth Affairs Network of Queensland notes this idea was one of the top ten ideas at the 2020 Youth Summit held in April 2008. The combined arts, business and community centres will be established in Priority Employment Areas and will provide opportunities for young people to take part in community activities. The centres will offer a safe place for young people to make friends and develop new skills to support their education, training and employment. The initiative is part of the $300 million Local Jobs funding secured by the Greens as part of the government's economic stimulus package. For more information, call 1300 363 079 or visit http://www.youth.gov.au (Source: The Youth Affairs Network of Queensland, E-mail bulletin, 22 October 2009, p.4, and Australian Government, Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, $10 Million for Youth Community Services, joint media release, 22 October 2009.)

NEWS FROM ACYS

Farewell, Anne Hugo

Some time ago, ACYS Information Manager, Website Manager and Youth Field Xpress Editor Anne Hugo announced that she would be leaving ACYS. Anne has been an integral part of the ACYS family since 1995, so it seems impossible to imagine the clearinghouse without her. For many years, Anne has been at the forefront of ACYS's work to inform the Australian youth sector, pioneering projects such as the ACYS website, and this very newsletter. In her time at ACYS she has become one of the country's leading experts on the youth sector and one of its fiercest champions. Her phenomenal knowledge of the field, tireless lobbying and creative energy helped to sustain the sector through leaner times, and have proven invaluable in its revitalisation in recent years.

We at ACYS cannot thank Anne enough for her hard work, friendship and guidance. Although we say goodbye to her with great sadness, we wish her all the very best for her life 'post-ACYS'.

Below is Anne’s farewell message to her YFX readers:

Kate Gross, who has edited this edition, and quite a few before it too, has kindly stopped the press to let me say farewell to YFX readers. Kate, with her expertise in editing, insightfulness and efficiency, has been my stalwart co-editor. I also welcome aboard a new ACYS staff member, Caroline Mordaunt, who has been working alongside Kate and me in editing YFX.

It was November 1995, when my younger son was 11, that I established this newsletter. Now, in November 2009, I will be leaving ACYS to begin the difficult journey of writing a book about losing him at the age of 21. Issues of bullying, resilience, participation, citizenship, engagement, and the broader canvas of adequate provision of money for youth services, sector engagement and cross-sectoral cooperation will continue to be at the forefront of my mind as I write his story.

I wish each and every one of you strength and success with all your endeavours on behalf of youth. They deserve this country's whole-hearted support. Compiling the stories and speaking with readers and contributors over the years has been my absolute pleasure. You've been a very supportive, interested and interesting audience, and I encourage you to keep sending your news and features in to this clearinghouse, which has so much accumulated knowledge within its walls to help service the youth sector. I am confident that this newsletter, as with ACYS, will grow under the guidance of ACYS staff, including the new staff members coming on board, as I leave. Anne Hugo, http://twitter.com/annehugo

New youth work resource from ACYS: Concepts and methods of youth work

Concepts and methods of youth work is the first of three volumes in the Doing youth work in Australia series edited by Rob White and published for the youth work field by the Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies. It contains a select range of contributions from the ACYS journal Youth Studies Australia chosen by Professor White for their relevance and practical significance to youth work in Australia today. Concepts and methods of youth work looks at the key issues of youth work as a career and as a profession. It not only delves into the practical skills and knowledge needed by individuals, but also highlights the ideological or philosophical universe within which workers operate. The book was launched by Dr Ani Wierenga at the YACVic conference held in Ballarat, Victoria, in mid-October.

Concepts and methods of youth work (cost: $69.95 (including GST) plus $7 postage, ISBN: 978 1 875236 61 9) can be ordered from ACYS, ph: (03) 6226 2591; fax: (03) 6226 2578; email publications[AT]acys.utas.edu.au. For further information, visit: http://www.acys.info/publications/books/doing_youthwork_series_1

ABUSE

Profile and treatment of intrafamilial adolescent sex offenders

The Australian Institute of Criminology has published a paper based on a four-year study in Western Australia that examines why intrafamilial adolescent sex offenders (IASOs) offend. This overview paper, which cites findings from many researchers, asserts that between 40 per cent and 90 per cent of sexual offending against children is perpetrated by other children or adolescents. The paper points to a need to treat this type of behaviour as a health issue rather than a moral issue to try and end the 'intergenerational transmission of abuse'. (Source: Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, n.375, June 2009, p.1.)

ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS

In their own words: Insights into the concerns of young Australians

In 2008 Mission Australia conducted its seventh annual National survey of young Australians with over 45,000 young people aged 11-24 years. The survey aimed to identify the important and emerging issues for young people through a series of questions on what they value, their issues of concern, where they turn for advice and support, and who they admire. In October 2009, Mission Australia released a snapshot report titled In their own words: Insights into the concerns of young Australians, which outlines findings from the 2008 survey relating to young people’s issues of concern. The top three issues of concern to young people were body image, drugs and family conflict. There was no one ‘standout’ issue, with nine issues identified as major concerns for at least one in five respondents. The report can be downloaded from the Australian Policy Online website: http://www.apo.org.au/research/their-own-words-insights-concerns-young-australians (Source: Australian Policy Online website, viewed 19 October 2009.)

National Eating Disorders Collaboration Youth Survey

Young people aged 25 years and under are encouraged to take part in the National Eating Disorders Collaboration Youth Survey on body image and eating issues. The survey has been funded by the Australian Government under the banner of the National Eating Disorders Collaboration. The results of the survey will be used to shape recommendations to the government on how we can best prevent and treat eating disorders in young people. The survey, which takes around 15 minutes to complete, can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ygz4mqy. For further information about this survey, and the wider National Eating Disorders Collaboration Youth Consultation, visit: http://au.reachout.com/connect/blog/national-eating-disorders-collaboration (Source: AYIN email list, 15 October 2009.)

BULLYING

ACMA launches new cyberbullying resource for Australian schools

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has launched Let’s fight it together, a new teaching resource to combat cyberbullying, which will be made available free of charge to all schools in Australia. Let’s fight it together is designed to equip young people with strategies to avoid, get out of, or help others deal with, cyberbullying behaviour and to show adults how they can help.

Let’s fight it together is based around a short video story that presents a cyberbullying scenario derived from real experiences of teenagers who have been cyberbullied. The DVD also includes interviews with the characters in the story – teachers, parents and young people – about their perspectives on the cyberbullying scenario presented. The accompanying booklet is a comprehensive guide for teachers that includes lesson plans and activities to help get the most out of the DVD. Schools can order a free copy of Let’s fight it together by contacting the Cybersafety Contact Centre: 1800 880 176. (Source: Australian Communications Media Authority 2009, Let’s fight it together, media release, ACMA, 25 September, viewed 2 October 2009, http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD..PC/pc=PC_311905)

CARE AND PROTECTION

KPMG begins work on reviewing Australian standards of care and protection for vulnerable children

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has announced that the federal government is developing national standards to protect vulnerable children. The consultancy group KPMG has begun work on the review of current standards, policies and practices in out-of-home care to develop best practice national standards, and will present their final report for consideration to state and territory community services ministers in mid-2010. KPMG will also develop an agreed evidence tool to verify, review and monitor progress against the agreed national standards. The development of these national standards is a key part of the $63 million National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020, which was endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments on 30 April 2009. (Source: Macklin, J. (Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) 2009, Developing national standards to protect vulnerable children, media release 14 October, viewed 15 October 2009, http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/internet/jennymacklin.nsf/content/stds_to_protect_children_14oct2009.htm)

CAREERS

Benefits of part-time work for teens

According to Professor Wendy Patton from the Faculty of Education at Queensland University of Technology, the part-time work teenagers take on while at high school can have far-reaching benefits. Her study of students in Years 9 to 12 found that this work gave them an understanding of 'the demands of the workplace and encouraged them to reconsider the importance of their high school study'. (Source: Education Review, September 2009, p.4.)

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

Mind the Gap: Sixth International Conference on Youth Work and Youth Studies, UK, September 2010

Mind the Gap: The Sixth International Conference on Youth Work and Youth Studies is being hosted by the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, from 7 to 9 September 2010. The conference will give participants the opportunity to participate in conversations on youth work and youth studies that contribute to research, theory and practice on work with young people. The conference title, Mind the Gap, relates to many aspects of the theme connecting research, theory and practice. Anyone who has used the rail network in the UK will be familiar with the computerised voice that warns travellers to be mindful of the hazards associated with stepping out on the journey ahead. The title therefore is also suggested as a metaphor for the journeys of us all in seeking to improve our understanding of young people and to articulate and share practices in working with them. For further information, contact Karen McDairmant, Professional Development Unit, University of Strathclyde, email: karen.mcdairmant[at]strath.ac.uk; website: http://www.strath.ac.uk/pdu/mg2010 (Source: University of Strathclyde website, viewed 16 October 2009.)

Siblings Australia: Creating Connections

The second national Siblings Australia conference, 'Creating Connections', will be held in Adelaide, 19-20 November 2009. Siblings Australia celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2009, and in the past decade has developed a national and international reputation for its work with families and providers in supporting siblings of people with special needs. The conference will provide an opportunity for delegates to connect and explore ways of working with and supporting children and families affected by disability, chronic illness
and mental illness. Families and professionals will be able to share experiences, learn about the latest research developments and consider the future of sibling support programs. Further information about the conference can be found at: http://sapmea.asn.au/conventions/siblings09/index.html (Source: AYIN email list, 16 October 2009.)

CRIME AND JUSTICE

Young people on remand in NSW

In the October/November edition of YAPA’s youth magazine Unleash, YAPA board member Marty Drennan writes about the increasing numbers of young people on remand in New South Wales in recent years. He says that 'Over the last two years the NSW Government has made many changes that have unnecessarily and adversely affected the way it deals with young people who come into contact with the juvenile justice system'. He highlights changes to the Bail Act and the overpolicing of young people as the most concerning of these changes, noting that young people on remand make up approximately 88 per cent of the total juvenile detention population, and that only around 20 per cent of those on remand end up being found guilty and placed on control orders. (Source: Unleash, October/November 2009, p.5.)

Bail me out: NSW young offenders and bail

Research conducted by the Youth Justice Coalition indicates a 'significant gap in policy development with respect to the provision of appropriate assistance to young people on bail' in New South Wales. The research report Bail me out: NSW young offenders and bail examines the cases of 145 young people in custody who appeared before the Parramatta Children's Court in NSW.

The research describes the circumstances in which young people were likely to breach their bail conditions and examines the links between homelessness, policing practices, detention and available community resources. The findings show how increased police monitoring of minor breaches of bail has created a ‘revolving door’ whereby young people are detained, appear in court and are released without changes to their conditions. The shortage of support for young people to meet their bail conditions also leads to longer periods on remand, particularly for girls and young people aged 12 to 14.

The Youth Justice Coalition has called on the NSW Government to consider the report and its recommendations to ensure detention for young offenders becomes a last resort. The report can be downloaded at: http://www.yjconline.net/BailMeOut.pdf (Source: Brenda Bailey, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, email; Wong, K. Bailey, B. and Kenny, D.T. 2009, Bail me out: NSW young offenders and bail, Youth Justice Coalition, Marrickville, NSW.)

The specific deterrent effect of custodial penalties on juvenile reoffending

This recent report, published by the Australian Institute of Criminology, finds that custodial penalties do not deter juveniles from reoffending, a finding that contradicts earlier reports. To compile their data, authors Don Weatherburn, Sumitra Vignaendra and Andrew McGrath interviewed nearly 400 young offenders and followed them up to establish the percentage that reoffended.

Although custodial sentences do not appear to deter juveniles from reoffending, the longer-term effects of imprisonment may have important negative effects on offenders in terms of gaining employment. They conclude that: 'custodial penalties ought to be used very sparingly with juvenile offenders'. The report can be downloaded from the AIC website: http://aic.gov.au/en/publications/current%20series/tbp/21-40/tbp033.aspx (Source: Weatherburn, D., Vignaendra, S. and McGrath, A. 2009, 'The specific deterrent effect of custodial penalties on juvenile reoffending', Australian Institute of Criminology Technical and Background Paper, n.33, AIC, Canberra.)

DRUGS

Marked shift in attitudes towards alcopops

According to an Alcohol and Education Rehabilitation Foundation (AER) survey carried out in April this year, there has been a ‘dramatic shift’ in the public’s attitude towards alcohol. This study found that 31 per cent of Australians were consuming fewer alcopops, and 12 per cent said they now consumed no alcopops at all. Most survey respondents felt that the revenue from the alcopops tax should be spent on alcohol-related projects such as education campaigns or assisting those harmed by alcohol.

The 2009 survey findings are in marked contrast to those reported in a 2008 survey: this year nearly 80 per cent of Australians believed we have a national drinking problem, whereas in 2008 only 63 per cent felt this was the case. (Source: Of Substance, v.7, n.4, October 2009, pp.24-25.)

ECONOMIC ISSUES

Young women fear a lack of 'financial literacy'

WIRE (Women’s Information Centre - Melbourne) has recently conducted focus group discussions with 15- to 25-year-olds to help address the issue of finance for young women. Their previous research found many young women thought that 'the language of money [was] complicated and, quite often, frightening'. WIRE has identified a need for financial information and services that young women can understand and feel comfortable with. The research findings will be made available in early 2010; see the WIRE website for further details: http://www.wire.org.au.

During October, WIRE, in association with the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre and the Victorian Government, is holding free workshops, called Steps to Securing Your Financial Future, for women in both rural and metropolitan areas. See the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre website for more information: http://www.qvwc.org.au. (Source: Yikes!, the newsletter of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, v.7, n.3, July 2009, p.12; WIRE website: http://www.wire.org.au)

The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey

Unique among Australian datasets, the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey is an Australian large-scale nationally representative longitudinal survey, which has been providing data for social and economic research since 2003. The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research has a contract with the Department of Families, Housing, Communities and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to administer the survey on behalf of the Australian Government. Data collection for Waves 9 to 12 will be undertaken by Roy Morgan. Those interested in reading about the fourth biennial HILDA survey research conference, jointly hosted by FaHCSIA and the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research in July 2009, can read about it in FaHCSIA Research News, n.35, September 2009, available online at: http://tinyurl.com/ygqfy3q (Source: FaHCSIA Research News, n.35, September 2009, http://tinyurl.com/ygqfy3q)

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

New green training opportunities for young Australians

In July 2009, Prime Minister Rudd announced a range of new green jobs and training opportunities designed to build a stronger and greener Australian economy. The $94 million reform of Australia’s training system includes two initiatives aimed at young people: the National Green Jobs Corps and the National Green Skills Agreement.

The National Green Jobs Corps is a 26-week environmental training program that, over two years, will enable 10,000 18- to 24-year-olds to gain work experience and green skills for future jobs. Participants will be able to join the National Green Jobs Corps to meet their participation obligations for Youth Allowance or Newstart.

The National Green Skills Agreement will make practical sustainability training a fundamental part of all vocational training programs and lead to national sustainability standards in vocational training. The government expects that every new trade apprentice who commences their training after 1 January 2010 will graduate with a core set of green skills and knowledge as part of their training. Over the next two years 30,000 apprentices in sectors such as building and construction, agriculture and forestry, mining and energy, water, transport, manufacturing and engineering will graduate with competencies in green skills. (Source: Rudd, K. (Prime Minister of Australia) 2009, 50,000 new green jobs and green skills training places for a stronger greener Australian economy, media release, 30 July, viewed 14 October 2009, http://www.pm.gov.au/node/6078)

FUNDING AND SPONSORSHIP

Minister Ellis announces new funding program to support youth development and participation

On 7 October, Minister for Youth Kate Ellis launched a new federal funding program to support the development and participation of young Australians aged 12 to 25. The Australian Government will provide $500,000 a year to eligible non-government, not-for-profit organisations through the Youth Development and Support Program. The program will give funding to projects that will inspire young people to achieve their true potential.

Eligible groups are invited to apply for grants up to $75,000 towards projects that focus on the participation and social inclusion of young people. Applications for funding opened on 7 October and close on 4 November 2009. For more information, call 1300 363 079 or visit the Youth Development and Support Program website: http://www.youth.gov.au/ydsp.html (Source: Ellis, K. (Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth) 2009, $500,000 each year to support young Australians, media release, 7 October, viewed 7 October 2009, http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_091007_133632.aspx)

The Reg Waite Award has ceased to operate

The Reg Waite Award is no more. The award originally came into being to honour and continue the commitment that Reg Waite had made during his life to encourage young Australians to train and educate themselves, to achieve their potential and be contributors to the betterment of Australian society. Awardees were those young people who excelled in fields as diverse as music, law, science, psychology, nursing and more. Former awardees were informed that, on 28 April 2009, the board had passed a motion to wind up the award. Finding replacements for retiring board members, who had served on the Reg Waite Award Trust Foundation since its inception, had proved difficult. In addition, the current 'charitable environment' had become 'a much more crowded space with new foundations popping up regularly, competing for funds in a more competitive and smaller pool'. (Source: Email, Alan Wu, the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition and former Reg Waite Award recipient, 14 October 2009.)

GAMBLING

Interactive gambling activity and regulation

The report Review of current and future trends in interactive gambling activity and regulation: Literature review, by the Allen Consulting Group, examines the current trends in interactive gambling in Australia, the range and accessibility of services available, the current regulatory framework and future trends in technology that may influence the availability of interactive gambling opportunities in the future. (Source: FaHCSIA Research News, n.35, September 2009, http://tinyurl.com/ygqfy3q)

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

The experiences of young people: How do their living arrangements impact?

In 2008, over 45,000 young people aged 11 to 24 years participated in the seventh annual Mission Australia National survey of young Australians. Of these, 375 identified as homeless or living in insecure housing and a further 135 were living in foster care. In October 2009, Mission Australia released a snapshot report titled The experiences of young people: How do their living arrangements impact?, which uses data from the 2008 survey to explore the experiences of young Australians who are homeless or in foster care. The report can be downloaded from the Australian Policy Online website: http://apo.org.au/research/experiences-young-people-how-do-their-living-arrangements-impact (Source: Australian Policy Online website, viewed 19 October 2009.)

INDIGENOUS YOUTH

Call for papers: 2010 SNAICC National Conference

The 2010 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Conference, 'For our children / Ampe anwernekenheke', will be held 27-29 July in Alice Springs. The organisers are currently looking for workshop and session presenters to submit abstracts by 30 October. For a copy of the abstract guidelines and submission form contact: Sharyn Low, ph: (02) 4572 3079; email: sharynlow[AT]pacific.net.au; website: http://www.snaicc.asn.au/policy/conference (Source: Sharyn Low, email, 21 October 2009.)