August 1 - 31, 2025: Issue 645

 

ACYP Evaluation report shows impact of NSW Strategic Plan for Children and Young People

Palm Beach wharf at high tide. Photo: AJG/PON

On Thursday August 28 the Advocate for Children and Young People launched the evaluation report for the NSW Strategic Plan for Children and Young People 2022-2024, highlighting the impact it has had in driving positive outcomes for children and young people across the state. 

The Plan was designed to capture what was important to children and young people, advocacy actions and cross-government initiatives under six core commitments: 

  1. hope for the future, 
  2. love connection and safety, 
  3. health and wellbeing, 
  4. respect and acceptance, 
  5. a good standard of living and
  6. environments for joy and fun 

The most significant work under the Plan has seen a record investment in children and young people by Government, including a $1.2 billion investment into child protection announced in the recent budget. Other initiatives include leading youth-informed responses to issues such as vaping, cost-of-living pressures, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and disaster recovery.

The evaluation report highlights the Plan’s responsive approach, its commitment to amplifying the voice of children and young people, and its effectiveness in bridging connections between children and young people, community services and decision-makers. 

Zoë Robinson, Advocate for Children and Young People, said:

''The NSW Strategic Plan for Children and Young People 2022-2024 has guided our work to ensure children and young people are heard, valued and supported. Through a mixed-method approach, incorporating interviews, data analysis, and government agency reporting, the evaluation assess the plan’s impact and the Advocate’s role in influencing change.

''The evaluation includes recommendations for future planning, including greater use of data, deeper collaboration with government and sector partners, and a continued focus on amplifying the voices of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.

The Strategic Plan was always meant to belong to the children and young people of NSW. We’ve been proud to walk alongside them, and this evaluation gives us the insight we need to take that work even further. 

This evaluation shows that when young people are listened to and respected, real change is possible. 

We encourage you to share the report with your networks.''

Read the report.

The Six Themes - Extracts from the report

Hope for the future

The aim was to build a NSW where:

  • Children and young people’s individual learning and interests are fostered through education, training and skills development which supports them to grow and prepares them for their future.
  • They are supported to be independent, engage in society and to join the workforce.

Young people value education and see it as key to their future, but they are also overwhelmed by academic pressure and want more focus on practical life skills and flexible learning. Many feel unprepared for life after school and are unsure about how to access meaningful job opportunities. They are calling for better career advice, more pathways beyond university, and stronger support though the transition to adulthood.

ACYP have delivered all five actions committed to within the Strategic Plan, including:

• Equipping young people with real-world skills

ACYP co-designed four life skills videos and a supplementary website based on direct input from young people, covering career,  finance, and independent living based. These were launched on the ACYP and Department of Customer Service websites, and have been viewed over 1,800 times.

• Boosting pathways to employment

ACYP helped promote Skillsroad, a platform designed to empower young people, parents, and educators by offering tools, advice, and  job listings tailored to young people. See Appendix A in the Report for a full list of actions committed to within the Strategic Plan.

ACYP have delivered additional activity outside of the commitments in the Strategic Plan, including:

• Supporting youth resilience through connection

Mobilising the ACYP Recovery Youth Support Service (RYSS) team to provide essential support, community engagement, and  advocacy for wellbeing of children and young people in the flood-affected Northern Rivers regions in NSW.

• Supporting inclusive learning pathways

ACYP contributed to NESA’s Alternative Schools Setting Approval Board to support efforts to engage young people who had otherwise  disengaged from mainstream education.

Love, connection and safety

The aim was to build a NSW where children and young people:

  • Feel safe, loved and nurtured.
  • Can connect and build friendships with others.
  • Feel that they belong to a wider community, social or cultural group.
  • Are free from neglect, abuse and violence.

ACYP have delivered all eight actions committed to within the Strategic Plan, including:

• Empowering youth voices on digital safety

Through targeted consultations and a youth working group, ACYP ensured young people’s perspectives on digital safety influenced  policy discussions including the ‘Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill’ with the Children’s Commissioner and  eSafety Commissioner.

• Elevating voices young survivors of domestic or family violence

ACYP highlighted the lived experiences of children and young people affected by domestic and family violence national forums, and shaped key strategic government domestic and family violence initiatives. See Appendix A in the Report for a full list of actions committed to within the Strategic Plan.

ACYP have delivered additional activity outside of the commitments in the Strategic Plan, including:

• Amplifying youth-centric activities digitally

ACYP promoted local youth group events for Youth Week on social media.

• Strengthening diversity and inclusion of young migrants and refugees

ACYP consulted with young migrants and refugees, published a report highlighting the challenges and opportunities, and provided  recommendations for government agencies and organisations to strengthen inclusive, culturally responsive support systems. 

Health and wellbeing

The aim was to build a NSW where:

  • Children and young people’s mental, physical and emotional health is nurtured and supported to enable them to flourish

Mental health is one of the most pressing concerns for children and young people and was consistently raised as a top issue in consultations. Many see mental health as central to their wellbeing, yet many feel unsupported due to long waits, unaffordable services, and lack of culturally responsive care – particularly in rural and multicultural communities. They are calling for early intervention, reduced stigma, and better access to support options, especially in schools.

ACYP have delivered ten of the eleven actions committed to within the Strategic Plan, including:

• Embedding the youth experience on mental health in system design

ACYP amplified young people’s voice on mental health through consultation, collaboration, and advocacy – by briefing government on seven key recommendations, establishing the NSW Mental Health Advisory Group, and promoting the Youth and Teen Mental Health  First Aid. These efforts have embedded young people in mental health policy, design, and service delivery. See Appendix A in the Report for a full list of actions committed to within the Strategic Plan.

ACYP have delivered additional activity outside of the commitments in the Strategic Plan, including:

• Improving health equity for young families

ACYP consulted young parents, published cost-of-living insights, and provided a submission to the Inquiry into Early Childhood Health  Checks. ACYP advocacy has brought visibility to early health and development gaps, strengthened the case for cross-sector reforms,  and highlighted the need for more inclusive service models.

• Youth-led evidence driving vape reform

ACYP consulted with young migrants and refugees, published a report highlighting the challenges and opportunities, and provided  recommendations for government agencies and organisations to strengthen inclusive, culturally responsive support systems. 

Respect and Acceptance

The aim was to build a NSW where:

  • feel respected, accepted and included in society.
  • are part of a community supports them to be proud of their culture, diversity and individual identity.
  • are free from discrimination, racism and structural violence. 

Young people consistently raised the need for respectful, inclusive communities where all children and young people feel they belong. They shared how experiences of discrimination – whether based on race, disability, gender identity, or background – negatively affect their wellbeing. Many reported feeling judged, excluded, or unsafe in schools, public spaces, online, and in interactions with systems such as police and health services. Children and young people want their voices taken seriously and are asking for stronger action to tackle discrimination, build cultural understanding, and create safe spaces.

ACYP have delivered all eight actions committed to within the Strategic Plan, including:

• Conducting a Special Inquiry into Alternative Care Arrangements

The ACYP Special Inquiry into Alternative Care Arrangements (ACA’s) put young people’s lived experience at the centre of change – ending ACA use, cutting emergency placements by 25%, and driving a system review of foster care practices and funding.

• Embedding the youth LGBTQIA+ voice in law reform

ACYP conducted consultations, published a report on the youth LGBTQIA+ experience, and advocated directly through submissions and presenting at parliamentary inquiries. ACYP advocacy played a key role in securing landmark legal changes, including the Equality Legislation amendment and a statewide ban on conversion practices.

• Driving visibility and change for students with a disability

ACYP elevated the voices of students with a disability through consultations, preparing a submission, and appearing – alongside the Youth Advisory Council members – at the Inquiry into children and young people with disability in NSW schools. See Appendix A in the Report for a full list of actions committed to within the Strategic Plan.

A good standard of living 

The aim was to build a NSW where:

  • are provided with the necessities they need to thrive.
  • do not live in poverty
  • are provided with adequate services and resources to operate in society

ACYP have delivered all nine actions committed to within the Strategic Plan, including:

• Driving awareness and discussions on child poverty in NSW

ACYP promoted anti-poverty week through its social media channels and newsletters, reaching 2,934 children and young people and 7,081 other subscribers. ACYP also contributed to a national joint media release and shared insights from youth consultations with key social policy forums, such as the NSW Council of Social Services, to embed lived experience in key policy discussions.

• Supporting young people to access information and resources about financial counselling

ACYP delivered informative Life Skills videos and webpages based on youth consultations, equipping young people with tools to navigate financial stress, understand their income, and plan for the future. See Appendix A in the Report for a full list of actions committed to within  the Strategic Plan.

ACYP have delivered additional activity outside of the commitments in the Strategic Plan, including:

• Elevating youth voices to tackle cost-of-living pressures

Through consultations with over 2,000 diverse young people – including those from refugee, regional, disability and parenting  background – ACYP captured the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in a report and video. The insights informed cross-government action including tighter regulation on Buy Now Pay Later schemes, extended fee-free TAFE, and new virtual telehealth services in NSW.

Environments for joy and fun 

The aim was to build a NSW where:

  • Children and young people have spaces and opportunities to engage in activities for recreation and leisure.
  • These spaces are enjoyable, welcoming and safe

ACYP have delivered five of six actions committed to within the Strategic Plan, including:

• Making activities accessible for all young people

ACYP directly contributed to reforms that expanded access to sport, arts, and recreation – including shaping Youth Justice standards through targeted consultations with young people at Youth Justice Centres, ensuring access to activities is embedded in the reforms.

• Celebrating and elevating children and young people across NSW

 ACYP led the coordination and promotion of NSW Children’s Week and Youth Week, creating opportunities for children and young people to connect, create, and contribute to their communities.

ACYP delivered and supported events across the state – from film showcases and art competitions to nature-based activities and school consultations – ensuring young people were recognised and celebrated through accessible and inclusive programs.

ACYP have delivered additional activity outside of the commitments in the Strategic Plan, including:

• Creating safe, inclusive recovery spaces for flood-affected youth 

ACYP supported over 2,000 young people in the Northern Rivers through school holiday programs, engagement with local sport and cultural events, and trauma-informed initiatives. Insights captured in the ‘Disaster Recovery and Preparedness Report’ drove local reforms and strengthened youth inclusion in disaster planning.

• Reducing youth crime through sport and connection

ACYP partnered with NSW Police and BackTrack to deliver a footy competition for at-risk youth. The initiative addressed local access barriers and demonstrated the role of sport in community safety the ‘Disaster Recovery and Preparedness Report’ drove local reforms and strengthened youth inclusion in disaster planning.

Office for Youth at Parliament House

At the beginning of August, the Minister for Youth, the Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, and Zoë Robinson, Advocate for Children and Young People, launched the Office for Youth at Parliament House. 

The event was attended by over 90 young people, Members of Parliament, senior leaders, and decision makers from both government and non-government organisations. Social media influencer Milly Bannister emceed the event. 

At last year’s NSW Youth Summit, young people from across the state made one thing clear: government engagement with them is not working. The NSW Office for Youth will rebuild the way the government interacts with young people across NSW. Bringing together the Office for Regional Youth, the Office of the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People the Office will be led by the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, working directly with the Minister for Youth, the Hon. Rose Jackson, MLC. 

The Office for Youth connects young people across NSW with the people in government who make big decisions.  This means no more scattered approaches or disconnected conversations - just one central place dedicated to ensuring young people are heard, respected, and driving real change about the issues that impact them. 

The Office’s headquarters is located in Redfern, with regional connections all across NSW. This office exists to make sure young people are heard, not just talked about. 

Zoë Robinson, Advocate for Children and Young People, said:

''We are excited to begin this new chapter for the young people of NSW and cannot wait to hear what they tell us they need to succeed.   

Over the coming months the team will work with young people to ensure they are heard in the policy, practice and processes of this Office, and that the Office focuses on issues that matter to them and outcomes that will be positive for young people.''

Youth Summit report

Young people aged 12 to 25 in NSW have a wealth of diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. Through the Your Voice, Our Future consultation, the NSW Government engaged with 4,558 young people, including 999 survey respondents and 193 workshop participants. 

Read the Report

Policy submissions

The Advocate is required, in accordance with the Act, ‘to make recommendations to government and non-government agencies on legislation, reports, policies, practices, procedures and services affecting children and young people’.   

The recommendations made in briefings, submissions and reports are informed by children and young people, and the work of the Office in consultations, polling and research. 

Below is an outline of the submissions that the Advocate made to parliamentary inquiries over the last few months: 

  • Australian Government Department of Education – Anti-Bullying Rapid Review
  • NSW Department of Communities and Justice – Review of Operation of Doli Incapax in NSW for children under 14
  • Australian Information Commissioner - Children’s Online Privacy Code
  • Productivity Commission – Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Review
  • NSW Law Reform Commission – Review of the Anti-Discrimination Act
  • Independent Review – Criminal Hate Speech
  • NSW Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in NSW

About the Office of the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People

The Advocate for Children and Young People is an independent statutory office reporting to the NSW Parliament through the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Children and Young People.

The office is established under the Advocate for Children and Young People Act 2014.

The Advocate for Children and Young People is supported by a small team in the Department of Communities and Justice.

Resources and more available at: www.acyp.nsw.gov.au