Youth Services Policy and Guide
West Tamar Council values its young people.
Because of this, Council is determined to ensure that young people are supported and connected to the community, whilst having a sense of drive and ambition for their future. Through the West Tamar Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and Council’s Youth Services Team, Council is committed to the ongoing provision of youth services that seek to improve youth health and well-being outcomes.
This policy has been prepared to act as a guide to Council’s youth services team, including any staff, external providers and councillors who work with young people in a Council framework. The document outlines the fundamental approach to working with young people whilst in a West Tamar Council responsibility.
Through implementing this policy, the West Tamar Council seeks to enhance its reputation as an
organisation which takes its responsibilities to the wider community, especially vulnerable young
people, seriously.
Council has been providing services to young people through the Youth Development Officer and subsequent team since the early 2000’s, providing essential services and support for young people in the West Tamar community.
The creation of the Youth Services Policy and Guide has been developed with feedback and reference to guiding documents provided by the Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT), the UN Rights of a Child, and state government policies and state legislation such as mandatory reporting laws. The draft Youth Services Policy and Guide was first presented to Council’s Community Development Unit May 2022, then presented to Council Workshop June 2022 with amendments presented to Council’s Community Development Unit June 2022.
The policy was approved at Council's July meeting in 2022.
Supporting References
UN Convention Rights of a Child
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Australia, has particular relevance to youth work practice. Its four core principles are ‘non-discrimination’, ‘the best interests of the child’, ‘the right to life, survival and development’, and ‘respect for the views of the child’. Article 3.1 of the Convention prescribes that ‘in all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.’
Youth Ethics Framework for Tasmania
West Tamar Council recognizes the Youth Ethics Framework for Tasmania and requires the Youth Services Team to work within the stated principles as a standard of operation.
Strong Families - Safe Kids
Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice & Referral Line is the first point of contact for child wellbeing and safety.
With a coordinated network of government and non-government support – and your help – we can deliver earlier intervention and better outcomes for at-risk children and their families.
Call the Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice & Referral Line on:
1800 000 123
Reporting Concerns about the Safety and Wellbeing of Children and Young People
All adults in our community have a responsibility to look out for children and keep them safe. An important early step if you’re worried about a child is to contact the Advice and Referral Line.
A staff member will be available to talk through your concerns and explore what can be done to help.
Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy
The Strategy is the first step towards thinking about a ‘wellbeing economy’ in Tasmania. Where the economic growth of our State, is intrinsically linked with the wellbeing of Tasmanians, underpinned by the support and initiatives to achieve this. This Strategy is Government’s continued response to providing children and young people with what they need to grow and thrive, but we know it takes more than just the efforts of government. It takes supportive and nurturing families and environments.
Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013
An Act to provide for background checking and registration of people who work with vulnerable people and for related purposes
West Tamar Youth Strategy
The sixth West Tamar Youth Strategy (2023-2026) has been developed to provide an innovative, 'out of the box' and engaging strategic framework to serve the young people of the West Tamar, supporting Council’s vision 'to create an inclusive community where people want to live, work and invest.'