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Congratulations Ash Barty!
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We were already in awe of Ash after her humility at the Australian Open. Now she’s again shown awesome wisdom and grace in taking out the Wimbledon Championship. She’s such an inspiration that we’re sharing some of her quotes. It’s particularly exciting that she won Wimbledon during NAIDOC Week!
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July is a significant sporting month with the Olympics in Tokyo too. Our young Olympic Queenslanders have excelled there also. Congratulations to all the participants.
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Two bottom photos - thanks to Linda Apelt Agent-General for Queensland in the United Kingdom
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Homelessness Week 2021
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Homelessness Week 2021 will take place from 1 to 7 August. It will be officially launched by Homelessness Australia on Monday 2 August at a webinar with Federal Housing, Homelessness and Community Housing Minister Michael Sukkar.
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In Australia there are over 116,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, approximately one quarter are young people.
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Homelessness Week aims to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness on Australia via national and local community events, including providing information on the importance of housing as a solution and educating communities on how they can make a difference.
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Register for the launch here
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2021 Census is around the corner
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Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics counts every person and household in Australia. This Census of Population and Housing is on Tuesday 10th August.
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The Australian Bureau of Statistics is working with the housing and homelessness sector in preparation for Census 2021. QYHC is working with Census staff to assist them in ensuring the most accurate count of Queensland’s homeless young people possible. We’re currently identifying hot spots for young people sleeping rough and those couch surfing. If you have any information to share please contact Lorraine on 0448 073 463
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The Census helps us understand what we need now, and into the future. Information from the Census helps community groups, businesses and governments across the country make important decisions. It informs planning for schools, housing, healthcare, transport and infrastructure, as well as local services for individuals, families and communities. The Census also provides the only national estimate of the prevalence of homelessness.
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Homeless young people are consistently undercounted. As such it’s really important to do all we can to capture young people who are homeless at Census time 10th August.
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If you are supporting someone who is very reluctant to complete a Census Form, please ask them to at least answer the key questions:
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- Q1 Where did/will you sleep on Tuesday, 10 August 2021?
- Q6 What is your name? (Q2 on Personal form)
- Q7 What is your sex? (Q3 on Personal form)
- Q8 What is your date of birth/age?
(Q4 on Personal form)
- Q10 What is your present marital status?
(Q8 on Personal form)
- Q11 Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin? (Q9 on Personal form)
- Q12 Where do you usually live?
(Q10 on Personal form)
- Q16 In which country were you born?
(Q14 on Personal form)
- Q38 What is your weekly income from all sources? (Q36 on Personal form)
- Q53 Have you ever served in the Australian Defence force? (Q51 on Personal form)
- Q65 Do you agree to your name and other information on this form being kept by the National Archives of Australia and then being made publicly available after 99 years?
(Q56 on Personal form)
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Make Renting Fair Queensland relaunched with a press conference on July 7th. Media response was really positive with stories on ABC TV, Channels 9 & 10, The Today Show, Courier Mail, Brisbane Times and multiple ABC radio segments.
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This has been followed up with extensive Social Media leading to subsequent media commentary. It was great to see so many tenants speaking of their experiences.
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Email your state Member of Parliament to tell them you want laws that make renting fair, safe and certain for all Queensland families.
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Use the Make Renting Fair in Queensland campaign letter template here
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If you would prefer to contact your local member directly but are unsure who your local MP is, you can find out here
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You can also share your story here
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Let the Members of Parliament on the Community Support and Services Committee know that you want changes on tenancy laws here
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Sign up to the MRFQ campaign here
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Housing Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 and
Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation (Tenants' Rights)
and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021
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Last week the Community Support and Services Committee had their public hearing on the Housing Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 and Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation (Tenants' Rights) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021.
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QYHC, TQ, QShelter, QDN, CHIA, QCOSS and many other colleagues in the Housing and Homelessness sector were witnesses. Listen to the public hearing here.
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Further information is available below
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DonateLife Week
25th July - August 1st
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The Great Registration Race is the focus of this week.
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There are around 13 million Australians aged 16+ who are eligible to register as an organ and tissue donor – but haven’t.
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For ‘The Great Registration Race for DonateLife Week’ the goal is to encourage up to 100,000 or more Australians to join the Australian Organ Donor Register.
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By sharing our content, or holding or attending an event where it is safe to do so, you can help make this happen.
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The Great Registration Race for DonateLife Week is running throughout July and August, with a big push during DonateLife Week.
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Further information and resources
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Platform 1225 Presenter Dr Lindy Annakin has recently authored: More care required: An analysis of leaving care support in New South Wales in 2021 on behalf of the Children in Care Collective. This report echoes many of QYHC’s stances with regard to the importance of a stable home and meaningful connections to the wellbeing of children and young people.
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More on the Children in Care Collective here
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Adjust our settings
An approach to cyberbullying
In line with the recommendations of Adjust our settings – A community approach to address cyberbullying among children and young people in Queensland, Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy developed internet-based resources in consultation with QYHC. Read here
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In October 2020, the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) was amended to include a requirement to have anti-cyberbullying policies and procedures in place. Read here (refer to page 100).
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A number of regions are holding Homeless Connects during Homelessness Week 2021.
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This year’s Homeless Connect scheduled for the 4th August on the Gold Coast has been postponed.
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Foyer Life Conference POSTPONED
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Showcasing Foyer Life and bringing together young people, policy makers, practitioners, accredited/accrediting Foyers and those with a passion to end youth homelessness from across Australia to learn, engage and network together will now occur in 2022. Watch this space…
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Changes to the Queensland Criminal Code
New legislation requires every adult in Queensland to report information relating to child sexual offences committed in relation to a child under 16 years of age to the Queensland Police Service. Failure to do so is punishable by 3 years in prison. The Queensland Criminal Code (Child Sexual Offences Reform) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020 received assent in Parliament on the 14 September 2020 and commenced in Queensland on the 5 July 2021.
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On Monday 19th July in partnership with YAC, QSAN and WLSQ; QYHC hosted A Practice Forum on obligation to report sexual offences against children FOR Youth, Sexual Assault and Women’s services with regard to the New provisions of the Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899 that relates to fail to report (section 229BC).
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Our sincere thanks to Julie Rylko, Director, Criminal Law Team, Strategic Policy and Legal Services, Department of Justice and Attorney-General who provided an Introduction to the Legislation and to Mark White, Detective Acting Superintendent, Operations Commander, Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group, Crime and Intelligence Command, Queensland Police Service for speaking to the QPS responses.
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Sincere thanks also to the brains trust and fabulous presenters: Katrina Jefferson and Lee-Anne Hoyer, Youth Advocacy centre; Julie Sarkosi, Women’s Legal Service Queensland and Sara Pane, ZigZag/QSAN for their insightful practice discussions and scenarios.
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Following discussions it was decided that moving forward the combined sectors will convene a working group to further assist the sectors in implementing this legislation. Anyone interested in being part of this group, please contact Lorraine on M: 0448 073 463
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To read more about the Laws targeting sexual offences against children, click here
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QShelter Training
Skills in Action is series of online events from 16 to 27 August, providing learning and development opportunities for people responding to housing need and homelessness in Queensland, including people with lived experience of homelessness or housing need, tenants of social and affordable housing, members of governing bodies in the human services sector, managers, coordinators and team leaders, front-line practitioners, and volunteers.
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The Skills in Action web-series offers the opportunity to engage in workshops, webinars, and panel discussions with local, interstate, and international speakers from the public and private sectors to support the development of skills and frameworks that enhance innovation, leadership, and good practice in responding to housing need and ending homelessness. Each session will conclude with actionable takeaways, supporting participants to put their new skills into action!
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ASSIST CAFÉ SMART TO SUPPORT OUR ORGANISATIONS
You can join in by asking your local café to assist.
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Click here for more information
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Listening to children and young people’s voices about safety in organisations
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This CFCA short article outlines the findings from the Children and Young People’s Safety Project that explored children’s hopes and needs when feeling unsafe. The article also discusses what organisations can do to assist organisations policies and practices to assist children and young people to feel safe.
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Find services in oneplace
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oneplace is an online directory for Queensland parents, families and professionals that lists community service throughout Queensland. There are more than 58,000 services that provide help with a range of issues including parenting, domestic and family violence, legal issues, mental health and counselling, housing, financial and food assistance. It is free and easy to use. View it here
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YAC CEO ANNOUNCEMENT
QYHC has had a partnership with YAC across many projects over many years. We’ve appreciated the leadership and wisdom of Janet Wight, retiring CEO and look forward to working with YAC’s incoming CEO Katie Acheson and continuing to work with YAC team members. We wish Janet all the very best for a less frenetic pace into the future.
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You can read YAC’s statement here
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PLEASE JOIN US IN THE GRAND BALLROOM
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The Annual Child Protection Week Dinner celebrates the dedication and commitment of those working within the child protection industry.
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Friday 10 September 2021, 6pm
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The Greek Club, 29 Edmondstone St, South Brisbane
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Guest Speakers: Hon. Leanne Linard MP, Minster for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs & CREATE Young Consultant
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Entertainment: SisterMISTER trio
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This new resource aims to help young people clarify what their rights are at work, what types of behaviour are not only unacceptable but unlawful, and how to make a complaint if they experience discrimination or sexual harassment on the job - because everyone is entitled to be safe and feel respected at work.
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The new guide is available here
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Human Rights in Housing and Homelessness
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The Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) came into effect on 1 January 2020 and requires the consideration of an individual’s human rights in the delivery of government services. This includes public services delivered by non-government providers. QCOSS is partnering with the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (DCHDE) and the housing and homelessness sector to:
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- build understanding of the Act
- increase confidence to work compatibly with the Act
- support our sectors to use the Act for person-centred service delivery.
QCOSS is delivering a range of engagement activities to support the housing and homelessness sector to act compatibly with the Act and increase human rights literacy. Support includes 1:1 assistance in implementing the act in your workplace with clients.
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QCOSS also recently announced their Human Rights Champions. You can read more here
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RESOURCES: Introducing the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) to new staff and others
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The following resources are introductory, designed to introduce the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). These are helpful resources for staff and board member induction processes.
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Leaving rehab: enhancing transitions into stable housing
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AHURI Final Report No.359
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From the AHURI Inquiry into enhancing the coordination of housing supports for individuals leaving institutional settings. Read here
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Sarah Suggests
Madness: a Memoir is an insightful look into the fogginess of what it is to be mentally ill, whilst also telling that it doesn’t hold you back and given the right
circumstances and support, you can be incredibly successful. The author and protagonist, Kate Richards, is a trained doctor. Read more here
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