- SHIFT – Queensland's Ministerial Youth Advocacy Network has met for the first time in Brisbane.
- Nine young people who have lived in residential care across the state have been appointed to the board
- Together, they will use their lived experience to help drive change in the child protection system, focusing on residential care and delivering the last outstanding year one action under the Roadmap for Residential Care in Queensland
Nine young people with a lived experience of Queensland's residential care system have met in Brisbane as part of the first Ministerial Youth Advisory Network.
Minister for Child Safety Charis Mullen attended the meeting, hearing from the network members who are aged between 18 and 21.
They come from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Central Queensland, North Queensland and Far North Queensland.
They include young people such as Nel, who became involved to help others and to address issues highlighted in the recent review into residential care.
Network members were also joined by new CREATE Foundation CEO Imogen Edesen and senior representatives of the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services.
Through the network, the young people shared their thoughts and ideas about what it was like to live in residential care.
They also brainstormed ideas and solutions to improve the system.
Key issues included how best to support young people in residential care to have more choice about their environment, routine and experiences.
They explored what could be done to create a home that prioritises support for children and young people to heal, learn and grow, while staying in touch with family, kin and community.
They also discussed support for foster and kinship carers, with members agreeing that increased support would help stabilise placements and see fewer children enter residential care.
The network was established in response to the report A Roadmap for residential care in Queensland, published this year following a review into the system.
Board members will meet four times a year, with the next meeting scheduled for October 2024.
As stated by Minister for Disability Services Charis Mullen:
"My highest priority as Child Safety Minister is to keep Queensland children safe and ensure they receive high-quality care when they need it.
"This is a powerful opportunity for us to hear the voices of young people and give them the opportunity to have input with fresh ideas.
"This is the first time a board like this has been established in Queensland, and it is a privilege to be part of it.
"It's so important any changes to the system are driven by the experiences of those in it or who have been a part of it.
"I will listen to what these young people tell me and CREATE Foundation, so together we can build a future where every child and young person in residential care feels safe, valued and empowered."
As stated by CEO of CREATE Foundation Imogen Edeson:
"The first meeting has set the tone for deep listening and close collaboration between those with lived experience of residential care and Minister Mullen.
"It was powerful to witness the collective drive in the room to give choice and voice to children and young people.
"The young members are unique individuals, united in their mission to improve the lives of young Queenslanders growing up in out-of-home care.
"It is a privilege to walk alongside them as they share their experiences and advice on what needs to change.
"CREATE looks forward to continuing to support young people in thought leadership and advice to government."
As stated by Ministerial Youth Advisory Board member Nel:
"Having the opportunity to provide advice directly to the Minister is empowering and helps us to feel we are being listened to.
"It is a way to address inconsistencies between residential care homes and create change across the board.
"I want to witness change and I want the change to be reflective of many different experiences, voices and walks of life."
