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YOUNG PEOPLE HELP SHAPE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM

More than 30 young people who have been, or are currently, in the child protection system today attended a special forum to have their say on how the NSW Government can improve the system for them.

Minister for Community Services Linda Burney, who led the Keep Us Safe Young People's Opinion Forum, said she was pleased to have the opportunity to hear from young people.

"The forum brought together young people from rural, regional and city areas who are service users, such as children who are or have been in care, experienced child protection issues, homelessness or have used a disability service," Ms Burney said.

"It is an opportunity for us to get meaningful feedback from young people about their personal experiences and hear their suggestions for changes.

"This forum is part of the Government's ongoing and extensive consultation with its stakeholders on the Keep Them Safe action plan to reform the child protection system.

"Their input will be invaluable to helping us strengthen the system. So often we tell young people what is best for them; this was a chance for them to speak and for us to listen."

Ms Burney said that the forum was organised in conjunction with CREATE and Youth Action & Policy Association NSW Inc (YAPA).

CREATE Foundation Chief Executive Officer Jacqui Reed said the forum highlighted the inclusive approach of the NSW Government's Keep Them Safe.

"Children and young people have responded positively to this forum - many have said that this event gave them a say on their future and help the next generation of children in care have a more positive experience," Ms Reed said.

"CREATE will continue working closely with the Government to consider and implement recommendations that result from the forum."

YAPA Executive Officer Reynato Reodica said that the Keep Them Safe plan will drastically change the way that youth and community services are provided to young people.

"This forum will ensure that young people's needs, desires and views are properly considered in this significant reshaping of the youth and community services that support them," Ms Reodica said.

YAPA is the peak community group working in the interests of young people in NSW.

The CREATE Foundation provides an independent voice for children and young people in out-of-home care.

YOUNG PEOPLE HELP SHAPE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM

More than 30 young people who have been, or are currently, in the child protection system today attended a special forum to have their say on how the NSW Government can improve the system for them.

Minister for Community Services Linda Burney, who led the Keep Us Safe Young People's Opinion Forum, said she was pleased to have the opportunity to hear from young people.

"The forum brought together young people from rural, regional and city areas who are service users, such as children who are or have been in care, experienced child protection issues, homelessness or have used a disability service," Ms Burney said.

"It is an opportunity for us to get meaningful feedback from young people about their personal experiences and hear their suggestions for changes.

"This forum is part of the Government's ongoing and extensive consultation with its stakeholders on the Keep Them Safe action plan to reform the child protection system.

"Their input will be invaluable to helping us strengthen the system. So often we tell young people what is best for them; this was a chance for them to speak and for us to listen."

Ms Burney said that the forum was organised in conjunction with CREATE and Youth Action & Policy Association NSW Inc (YAPA).

CREATE Foundation Chief Executive Officer Jacqui Reed said the forum highlighted the inclusive approach of the NSW Government's Keep Them Safe.

"Children and young people have responded positively to this forum - many have said that this event gave them a say on their future and help the next generation of children in care have a more positive experience," Ms Reed said.

"CREATE will continue working closely with the Government to consider and implement recommendations that result from the forum."

YAPA Executive Officer Reynato Reodica said that the Keep Them Safe plan will drastically change the way that youth and community services are provided to young people.

"This forum will ensure that young people's needs, desires and views are properly considered in this significant reshaping of the youth and community services that support them," Ms Reodica said.

YAPA is the peak community group working in the interests of young people in NSW.

The CREATE Foundation provides an independent voice for children and young people in out-of-home care.

Mental health Official Visitors Program now recruiting
July 14, 2009

Minister Assisting on Health (Mental Health) Barbara Perry today invited people to help make a positive difference to the lives of people with a mental illness by applying to become an Official Visitor.

Minister Perry said Official Visitors have an important independent role in monitoring the standards of treatment for patients within the mental health system.

Official Visitors are needed in metropolitan Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Hunter, as well as in Dubbo and Broken Hill.

``The Official Visitors Program is recruiting people with an interest in mental health issues and a commitment to social justice to visit psychiatric facilities in metropolitan and selected rural areas of NSW,'' Ms Perry said.

``Official Visitors regularly visit mental health facilities and also provide assistance to mental health patients who have been placed on Community Treatment Orders.

``People being treated for a mental illness in NSW have been able to rely on having someone special to look out for their interests for more than 165 years.''

Minister Perry said Official Visitors come from a range of professional and cultural backgrounds.

``Becoming an Official Visitor can be a great way for retired health professionals or people with other kinds of experience to continue to make a positive contribution to our community,'' the Minister said.

NSW Principal Official Visitor Jan Roberts said being an Official Visitor was a ``very rewarding role.''

‘'You can make a real difference to the lives of people suffering from a mental illness, and you can help ensure that the health system is providing the best possible service to consumers,'' Ms Roberts said.

Official visitors are appointed by the Minister for Health. People who are interested in becoming an Official Visitor can visit www.ovmh.nsw.gov.au for more information.

The NSW Government will train teachers in the latest literacy teaching techniques to boost the State's literacy rates.

NSW Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, said the new teaching methods were targeted at strengthening the status of NSW as a world literacy
leader.

"A recent OECD study ranked NSW 15 year olds as among the best readers in the world," Ms Firth said.

"Our state's reputation is testament to the hard work of our teachers and students, and the rigour of the NSW literacy curriculum.

"The new methods are the cutting edge in literacy teaching techniques and were developed in conjunction with teachers and expert researchers.

"This is an investment in a better future for students and teachers in NSW.

"These new teaching tools will provide teachers with practical advice on explicit literacy teaching strategies, like phonics.

"NSW public schools are leading the way in the development of these new teaching methods with independent schools now following our lead.

"They are the first in what will be a series of guides that put the spotlight on different aspects of literacy fundamental to students' overall literacy development," he said.

Ms Firth said NSW had an innovative and research-driven approach to literacy that constantly challenges students to improve on their already high standards.

"What the research tells us is what many instinctively know: that literacy is a fundamental life skill, fundamental to our schooling, our development as
individuals and to our society," Ms Firth said.

"This is about turning expert, evidence-based research on literacy into balanced, systematic and integrated resources for teachers.