Advocacy Projects & Campaigns
The Social Policy and Advocacy Team develop and implement strategies to influence public opinion and government decision-making on social policy issues affecting vulnerable children and young people and their families. We do this by:
- developing and implementing advocacy campaigns
- developing submissions and policy papers
- engaging with our programs to monitor government policy implementation
- working with other organisations and networks to increase the effectiveness of wider sector policy and advocacy.
Our work is informed by the latest research, our organisation's extensive service delivery experience and the voices and stories of the people who use our services.
Our current projects include:
Because Children Matter
The Burnside Centenary Campaign ... because children matter celebrates 100 years of caring from UnitingCare Burnside and highlights the need for ongoing action to support vulnerable children and young people. This campaign tells personal stories of hope and change from our service users, staff and supporters and runs from June through August 2011.
Juvenile Justice
UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families is one of many voices calling for reform of the juvenile justice system. The Social Justice Unit’s work in this area began with the development of our background paper Locked into Remand which highlights the impacts of remand detention on vulnerable children and young people, particularly Aboriginal children and young people. This work led to our development of the sector’s position paper Releasing the Pressure on Remand. We are currently developing our submission for the NSW Government’s review of the Bail Act.
NSW State Election
In the lead up to the recent NSW State Election in March 2011, the Social Justice Unit produced UnitingCare Burnside’s election platform 20 steps for safe children, strong families, inclusive communities in a just society. This document highlights actions that can be implemented by the NSW Government in the areas of child protection, early childhood education and care, services for children with disabilities and juvenile justice. These reforms will enable vulnerable children and young people to receive the help they need when they need it and for as long as they need it.
Submission on Improving Service Delivery and Accountability in Aboriginal Affairs across NSW
UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families submission to the Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs on Improving Service Delivery and Accountability in Aboriginal Affairs across NSW, February 2012
Submission on Improving Employment Outcomes for Aboriginal People
UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families submission to the Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs on Improving Employment Outcomes for Aboriginal People, February 2012
