Centre for Children & Young People
Strategic Plan
2005-2007

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION

Centre for Children & Young People 3 Year Plan 2005-2007

INTRODUCTION

The Centre for Children & Young People (CCYP) was established at Southern Cross University in 2004 as a joint initiative of the School of Education and the School of Law & Justice. The CCYP has three key functions: research, education and advocacy. It engages in a broad range of research, evaluation, conferences, seminars, professional development and child & youth participation initiatives.

VISION

The Centre aims to contribute to the improved well-being of children and young people, particularly in regional and rural areas by means of its inter-disciplinary research, education and advocacy.

The Centre will do this through:

  1. Developing relevant and appropriate inter-disciplinary research.
  2. Supporting the provision of education and professional development for individuals and organisations working with children and young people.
  3. Engaging with colleagues in the fieldof child and youth research regionally, nationally and internationally.
  4. Collaborating with agencies and organisations, particularly on the North Coast of NSW, concerned with quality service provision for children and young people.
  5. Contributing to the development of state and national policies that enhance the well-being of children and young people.
  6. Enhancing the participation of children and young people in their families, schools and communities.
VALUES

The Centre is based on an understanding that:

  • Children and young people are entitled to the provision, protection and participation rights afforded them in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Practice and policy should be evidence based.
  • Participation and collaboration are intrinsic to improved outcomes for children and young people.
PRIORITIES

The Centre has established the following three priority areas for the years 2005 – 2007:

  • RESEARCH: to undertake research that builds upon the existing knowledge base in areas identified as important for the improved safety and well-being of children and young people.
  • EDUCATION: to provide quality learning and professional development opportunities for those working and/or preparing to work with children and young people;
  • ADVOCACY: to promote the interests of children and young people through an increased emphasis on consultation and participation.

In response to these priorities, the Centre sets itself the following goals.

GOALS

RESEARCH

  1. To increase productivity associated with identified research areas as evidenced by increases in:

a. PhD enrolments;

b. publication output in refereed, practitioner relevant publications;

c. income from external grants; and

d. conference presentations.

  1. To collaborate closely with organizations providing services to children, young people and their families in developing and disseminating information that promotes sound, evidence based practice.
  1. To develop stronger links with Gnibi College and other relevant organizations in pursuing research that is both sensitive to indigenous cultures and focused on areas of concern for indigenous children and youth.
  1. To develop and use research methods and processes that contribute to improving understanding and practice involving ethical, child inclusive research.
  1. To establish a national reputation for the Centre in the provision of collaborative research activities closely linked to improved practice and policy for children and young people, particularly in regional and rural areas.

EDUCATION

  1. To host one major conference or seminar per year that attracts national or international speakers and links researchers with practitioners and young people.
  1. To provide 3 smaller, regionally based seminars per year with an interdisciplinary emphasis on topics identified as important to service providers in the area.
  1. To develop accredited professional development opportunities for practitioners working in child or youth related employment.
  1. To support service provider partners in accessing relevant training and professional development for their staff.
  1. To increase the opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to engage in initiatives with services in the region so as to develop their understandings and skills in working with children, young people and their families whilst supporting the work of these services.

ADVOCACY

  1. To undertake research and education that actively promotes the participation of children and young people and explores processes and mechanisms for ensuring, where possible, that their views and perspectives are taken into account.
  1. To develop the skills and capacities of the ‘Young People, Big Voice’ child and youth consultative committee.
  1. To disseminate information on the rationale, principles, methods and processes for promoting the meaningful involvement of children and young people.
  1. To actively and broadly promote the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC) in guiding the development of child and youth focused policy and practice.
  1. To pursue opportunities to collaborate with organizations committed to engaging children and young people.

The annual management plan for the CCYP will include outcomes and strategies for achievement of each of the above goals.

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