Mr GUNNER - 2010-10-19
Can you please outline to the House how the Alice Springs Youth Action Plan is supporting children and families?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. It is very important, given the debate and the tabling today in parliament of the Growing them strong, together report.
The youth action plan is all about helping young people avoid trouble and supporting those families, as well as tackling youth-related antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs. It is a plan that this government launched in February 2009, and it is the most comprehensive youth plan we have seen in the Northern Territory, and a plan that is specifically targeting Alice Springs.
The plan is about young people avoiding getting into trouble, which is reiterated in this report, particularly in the Foreword and the Executive Summary. On page 3 of the report, it talks about a stronger focus on programs and services for vulnerable and at risk children and families. That is what the youth action plan is doing. It is a collaboration of NT Families and Children, police, and the Education department, all working together on a multi-agency level.
The plan has already achieved much since February 2009, and it will continue to make an impact. The Police Beat in the Todd Mall has already been implemented and established. The Centralian Middle School is up and running, with more than 350 students. There is also the No School, No Service code, which I understand is being considered for implementation in Darwin and Palmerston. There is also more funding provided to non-government organisations, such as the Gap Youth Centre.
A new youth services coordinator has been appointed and is due to start work in Alice Springs today. I welcome Penny Drysdale on board as part of the youth action plan team. I also acknowledge Michael White, the Police Superintendent, who did a fantastic job leading up to Penny’s appointment.
The Youth Hub will be fully operational at ANZAC Hill High School in 2011, and will include an alternative education provider, government and non-government organisation youth service providers, and wrap-around educational services.
A Youth Street Outreach service has been operating since August this year; it operates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The Youth Street Outreach service engages young people on the streets to ensure they are safe and supported, and to return them home or to a place of safety. Police report this resource gives them a valuable direct contact point for involving youth after hours. A successful interagency youth engagement operation was held on the weekend of 1 and 2 October, which saw 151 young people encouraged or assisted to return home, or to a safe place off the street.
As the report says, no one has a magic wand. The best that can be hoped for is an improvement over a 15-year period which is considered to be a generation in Aboriginal terms.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. It is very important, given the debate and the tabling today in parliament of the Growing them strong, together report.
The youth action plan is all about helping young people avoid trouble and supporting those families, as well as tackling youth-related antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs. It is a plan that this government launched in February 2009, and it is the most comprehensive youth plan we have seen in the Northern Territory, and a plan that is specifically targeting Alice Springs.
The plan is about young people avoiding getting into trouble, which is reiterated in this report, particularly in the Foreword and the Executive Summary. On page 3 of the report, it talks about a stronger focus on programs and services for vulnerable and at risk children and families. That is what the youth action plan is doing. It is a collaboration of NT Families and Children, police, and the Education department, all working together on a multi-agency level.
The plan has already achieved much since February 2009, and it will continue to make an impact. The Police Beat in the Todd Mall has already been implemented and established. The Centralian Middle School is up and running, with more than 350 students. There is also the No School, No Service code, which I understand is being considered for implementation in Darwin and Palmerston. There is also more funding provided to non-government organisations, such as the Gap Youth Centre.
A new youth services coordinator has been appointed and is due to start work in Alice Springs today. I welcome Penny Drysdale on board as part of the youth action plan team. I also acknowledge Michael White, the Police Superintendent, who did a fantastic job leading up to Penny’s appointment.
The Youth Hub will be fully operational at ANZAC Hill High School in 2011, and will include an alternative education provider, government and non-government organisation youth service providers, and wrap-around educational services.
A Youth Street Outreach service has been operating since August this year; it operates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The Youth Street Outreach service engages young people on the streets to ensure they are safe and supported, and to return them home or to a place of safety. Police report this resource gives them a valuable direct contact point for involving youth after hours. A successful interagency youth engagement operation was held on the weekend of 1 and 2 October, which saw 151 young people encouraged or assisted to return home, or to a safe place off the street.
As the report says, no one has a magic wand. The best that can be hoped for is an improvement over a 15-year period which is considered to be a generation in Aboriginal terms.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016