Apply for FACS Youth Consult for Change now!
What is DCJ Youth Consult for Change?
DCJ Youth Consult for Change are a group of young people who give advice and feedback to Communities and Justice (DCJ). Each member of the group is called a Youth Consultant.
Right now there are 14 young people in the group. We are looking for 12 new members to join them!
Why do we want your feedback and ideas?
Every day DCJ make decisions and develop projects that affect children and young people in care. It is important we ask young people what they think so we hear what works for children and young people, what doesn’t work and how we could do things better!
Who can apply?
- Young people aged 14-17 years old who are in the out-of-home care.
How will we decide?
We can only choose 12 people to join the group. This means we will have to make some tough decisions!
It is important that we hear from young people with different experiences and backgrounds. To make sure we have a mix of people we will decide by looking at things like:
- Where you live (in a big city or a small town)
- Your age and gender
- Your cultural and family background.
- The type of placement you are living in
- If you are supported by DCJ or a non-government service
We will read all the application’s and get back to everyone who applied.
When does the group meet?
- Youth Consultants meet every 6 weeks in Ashfield, Sydney.
- Meetings are on a Saturday from 9am until 1pm.
- If you do not live in Sydney we will organise your travel to and from Sydney on the day of the meeting. Sometimes this means an early flight.
What do DCJ Youth Consultants do?
- Speak to people who make policy decisions at DCJ.
- Give advice and feedback on projects that affect children and young people in care.
- Use your experiences to improve the out-of-home care system.
- Plan and participate in events, panels or forums if you are comfortable to.
- Help to create a group project.
- Meet other young people who have been in care.
- Develop your leadership and teamwork skills.
If you want to have a look at past group projects go to https://you.childstory.nsw.gov.au/
- 2017 group project: a booklet of ‘Messages for young people to from young people in OOHC’
- 2018 group project: a podcast ‘More than just a kid in care’
As a DCJ Youth Consultant you will:
- Develop your leadership and team work skills
- Be able to practice speaking in front of groups (if you want to)
- Learn how projects develop and how decisions are made at DCJ
- Learn how to have your voice heard in a way that will make a difference within DCJ
- Learn more about your rights and what you are entitled to as a young person in care
- Hear about new services available that may benefit you.
- Be paid for your time.
Some things to think about before you apply
Youth Consultant’s give feedback on projects and issues that affect children and young people in out-of-home care. We won’t ask you to share personal details or stories unless you want to. But to give advice you will need to think about and share some of your experience in out of home care.
For example - Based on your experiences, how do you think leaving care planning could be improved or done differently?
Talking about your experiences in out of home care and hearing other people’s experiences might make you think about times in your life that have been hard. Sometimes sharing your experiences or giving feedback can make you feel angry, upset or frustrated.
We will help you think about how you share your story and experiences. We will also help you think about how you decide what you want to keep private and what you want to share. We will be available if you need to talk about anything.
How do I apply?
- Complete the application form.
- Send completed application:
BY EMAIL freija.brandie@facs.nsw.gov.au
BY MAIL
ATT: Freija Brandie
Department of Family and Community Services
The Office of the Senior Practitioner
4-6 Cavill Avenue
Ashfield NSW 2131
- Applications close Friday 19th July 2019 at 5pm.
Do you know a young person who might be interested? Download this flyer and pass it on!