What’s important to YOUth?
Discussion paper
Discussion paper
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© State of Victoria, Department of Health and Human Services October, 2015.
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Available at www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
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Contents
Minister’s foreword 6
Introduction 7
Why a new youth policy? 7
Groups facing challenges 9
What will the Victorian Government do differently? 11
What should be in a new youth policy? 12
Next steps 13
Commenting on the discussion paper 13
Consultation questions – youth policy 14
References 16
Minister’s foreword
The Victorian Government wants every young person to get the opportunities and support they need to reach their potential.
Young people are the future of our state, and we need every Victorian to be able to participate in their family, community and in the workforce.
Many young people in Victoria are doing well, and have the opportunity to participate fully in their community. They demonstrate resilience and leadership, and take action on issues important to them. At the same time, youth is a time of life when people can be more vulnerable to the pressures and disadvantages of low income, unemployment, the cost of housing and health issues, including mental health issues.
The government is taking action and investing in young people through a number of key initiatives, including the Back to Work scheme, the TAFE Rescue Fund, the Education State program, the Roadmap for Reform: Strong Families, Safe Children project to support vulnerable children and their families, and through record investment in school education.
The Andrews Labor government also committed an additional $8 million over four years in the 2015–16 State Budget to deliver on the government’s commitment to youth participation and engagement in the community and economy.
We want to do even more to improve outcomes for all young people, and address gaps in supports, focusing on those who are disadvantaged, disengaged, or facing challenges in life. That’s why we are preparing a new whole-of-government youth policy.
The new youth policy will focus on strengthening young people’s engagement in the design and implementation of government policies and programs that affect them.
Young people will be able to get involved through:
· an online youth survey, which can be completed at consult.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
· youth-led consultations, focus groups and one-on-one interviews managed by community and youth sector organisations
· interactive online engagement
· a youth reference group made up of 18 young people from a variety of backgrounds, ages and geographic locations.
Young people have already told us that marginalisation, identity and belonging, education, employment and mental health are the most important issues to them. Discrimination is also of significant concern. They have told us that they want government to take action across the whole spectrum of issues affecting young people, including training, alcohol and drugs, housing and transport as well as education, employment, mental health and discrimination.
They have provided many suggestions for what these actions could include. We will collate these actions and consult with the youth and sector reference groups on recommendations for inclusion in the policy.[1]
The youth policy will also be informed by the views of parents, families, carers, youth workers, teachers, local government, the philanthropic and private sectors and everyone else that cares about the health and wellbeing of young people in Victoria.
I encourage you to email your completed response to the questions at the end of this discussion paper to or visit consult.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
Introduction
The discussion paper sets out why Victoria needs a new youth policy, asks what the government can do better to support young people to achieve their potential, and outlines the next steps and how to provide input.
Young people, parents and carers, community leaders and the community/youth, philanthropic, private and local government sectors – and everyone else – are encouraged to read the discussion paper available at consult.youthcentral.vic.gov.au and to provide their responses by completing the consultation questions at end of the paper. Responses should then be emailed to the Office for Youth at
Outcomes from all of the consultations being undertaken for the development of the new youth policy will be made publicly available when the new policy is launched, anticipated for mid-2016.
Why a new youth policy?
Most young people are doing well and contribute significantly to their communities; however, they are disproportionately vulnerable to problems such as low income, unemployment, housing and mental health issues. Some are also living with long-term, complex disadvantage.[2] The government is taking action and consulting on a number of issues, including education, training, employment, disability and mental health. A new youth policy will align with, build on and inform this work to address gaps in supports, focusing on young people who are disadvantaged, disengaged or facing particular challenges.
Issues
In Victoria, there are a number of issues young people face:
Marginalisation, belonging and identity
Entrenched prejudice and discrimination exists, and can result in the marginalisation of many groups within Australian society. Such discrimination creates vulnerabilities that affect the health and wellbeing of those who are judged on the basis of their gender, ethnicity, health status, religion, ability, sexuality or gender identity. Young people are, from an early age, exposed to harmful messages that can support violence, and stereotype men and women and people who are different from themselves. [3]
Young people have told us:
‘Bullying at schools is a big issue … because most of the kids think it is just a game.’
‘Most young people who are from different backgrounds feel like they are being discriminated among the others around them … mostly in the form of the way others speak toward those who are different.’
‘Youth not believing they have a say in the community.’[4]
Employment
· Long-term youth unemployment has almost doubled since 2012, and youth unemployment grew from 12.1 per cent in 2010 to 14.6per cent at the end of 2014.[5]
Young people have told us:
‘No one wants to depend on the government.’
‘Everyone should be able to have the opportunity, even if their education opportunities have been limited, to find a job and earn enough to live on.’
‘Even at a young age in single parent families the older children need to find a job to support them.’[6]
Education
· A large number of students continue to leave school early and do not go on to any other education or training – an estimated 10,000 in 2012.[7]
Young people have told us:
‘Education is an essential key to our development and life. I believe that without education, we no longer exist in our society as people, except as underprivileged individuals.’
‘Education is a liberty and no one can take your education away from you.’[8]
Homelessness
· Victorian youth homelessness increased by 33 per cent from 2006 to 2011.[9]
Young people have told us:
‘When a child goes through a terrible ordeal they often want to go home. Where they feel safe. If I don’t have a home, I would go insane with the struggle of feeling a sense of belonging and footing.’
‘As a teenage mother my most important needs were education, parenting and mental health support, secure housing and advocacy. I was unemployed and homeless until my first child was born.’[10]
Mental illness
· Young people have the highest incidence of mental illness across the lifespan, and rarely access professional help early on. Fifty per cent of mental health disorders begin before the age of 14.[11]
Young people have told us:
‘I suffer from social anxiety phobia and I know that it has changed my life forever because I wasn’t aware I had the illness until recently. I just thought it was normal.’
‘Many kids suffer from mental health issues but are afraid to talk about it out of fear of being a burden.’ [12]
Adult justice system
· Young people aged 18 to 24 years make up 17 per cent of the Victorian population,[13] yet comprise 12 per cent of the prison population; 18.5per cent of those are on Community Corrections Orders.[14]
Young people have told us:
‘If mental health issues are tackled correctly, you can almost undoubtedly expect a drop in other negative behaviours /effects such as substance abuse, crime, domestic violence, child abuse etc.’[15]
Groups facing challenges
There are also particular groups of young people facing a range of challenges through no fault of their own:
Koori youth
· Victorian Aboriginal culture is rich, strong and alive. Resilience, cultural identity and strong leadership provide a solid foundation for a positive future for Aboriginal young people. The Indigenous population is growing, with 27 per cent of Victoria’s Aboriginal population aged 12 to 24 years in 2011, compared to 17 per cent of the general population.[16] However, in all social indicators, including education, employment, health, housing, justice, child protection, disability and family violence, Aboriginal peoples are not faring as well as non-Aboriginal people.[17] For example, Victorian Aboriginal young people are over-represented in out-of-home care, are twice as likely to be victims of assault and ten times more likely to be in the justice system.[18]
New arrivals, refugees and multicultural youth
· Victoria is home to one of the most culturally diverse societies in the world, and is also among the fastest growing and most diverse populations in Australia.[19] Nearly one-quarter of new arrivals living in Victoria are aged 15 to 24 years.[20] Young people from refugee backgrounds contribute to an increasingly diverse Australian community and bring strengths and personal resources, with many adjusting well to Australian society.[21] At the same time, however, a growing body of evidence suggests that many young people arriving in Australia under the refugee and humanitarian programs, and multicultural youth generally, are facing a range of challenges in regard to social inclusion, employment, education, health, family and experiences of discrimination.[22]
International students
· International students contribute to Victoria’s economy and create jobs. They add to Victoria’s social and cultural vibrancy, and strengthen our international relationships.[23] In 2014 there were up to 160,000 international students in Victoria,[24] most of whom were under 25 years of age. For many, it is their first experience of independent living, and unfortunately, some experience social isolation, financial stress, mental health issues, homelessness, family violence, gambling and workplace exploitation. There is a strong correlation between a positive experience for international students and recommendations for Victoria as a place to study for new international students.[25]
Young people with a disability
· Young people with a disability seek to achieve their full potential and want control over their lifestyle and support arrangements.[26] An estimated 8.6 per cent of young people have a disability. Young people with a disability are more likely to live in poverty, have fewer educational qualifications, be out of work, or experience discrimination, violence and abuse.[27]
Young people from rural and regional locations
· One-quarter of young Victorians aged 12 to 25 live outside of Melbourne. While growing up in rural and regional Victoria has many advantages, almost one in five young people cannot find work. Urban migration of young people is increasing due to a lack of education and employment opportunities, and challenges associated with transport, health, mental health, isolation and social cohesion.[28] In addition, a small number of Victorian communities in regional Victoria experience a web of disadvantage and structural barriers that make it very difficult for residents to overcome economic and social disadvantage. Co-design of place-based approaches will be important to overcome unique local disadvantage. [29]
LGBTI young people
· LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) is a commonly used acronym that encompasses all people whose sexual orientation, gender, identity or sex differ from heterosexual, cisgender, or male/female sex and gender norms, regardless of the identity labels people use. Sometimes the term ‘sexuality, sex and gender diversity’ is used to be inclusive of all these groups. There is great diversity of identities and experiences within and between LGBTI communities, influenced by age, gender, ethnicity, geographical location, (dis)ability, migration experience and socioeconomic status. LGBTI people are part of all other population groups, but at the same time, as a population group, they can face specific challenges and health needs. LGBTI young people are at particular risk of poor mental health outcomes due to their high vulnerability to bullying, violence and discrimination.[30]
Young people in out-of-home care
· In 2013-14, 10,041 children and young people in Victoria were in an out of home care placement. This cohort comprises one of Victoria’s most vulnerable population groups. In the absence of a stable family, schools become even more critical to providing a positive future.[31] In particular, there are service gaps for young people leaving out-of-home care.
What will the Victorian Government do differently?
The reasons young people face specific challenges are complex and interrelated, and the policy levers to improve outcomes for young people are spread across different government departments, such as those focusing on employment, education, training and multicultural affairs.
To tackle these issues, investment across the whole of government should be well coordinated and directed to achieve greater outcomes for young people. This includes ensuring that universal services and programs are responsive to the needs of young people.
A whole-of-government youth policy that promotes outcomes for young people aged 12 to 24 years, particularly those who are disadvantaged, disengaged or face particular challenges, will:
· link to outcomes across government to measure the achievement of outcomes for young people