Search Results for "young people"

Participation in out-of-home care (OOHC) emerges from the basic rights of children to influence the decisions that impact their lives. It includes concepts such as listening to children’s voices and children being heard. ‘Meaningful participation’ refers to the involvement of children in ways that genuinely consider and include their views and experiences in decision-making about their lives. Developed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), our latest short article outlines some of the ways practitioners and service providers can support children in OOHC to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect them.

Most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents in Australia grow and flourish in supportive family environments that enable good mental health and social development. Despite the challenges posed by discrimination, low socio-economic environments, and the historic and ongoing marginalisation of First Nations culture, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are resilient, showing positive outcomes despite the presence of adversity. This study investigated the protective factors that help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to be resilient.

This short article outlines why engaging in meaningful participation with children in out-of-home care is central to supporting their wellbeing and respecting their right to participate.