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Support and Guidance

Emergency Contacts

Counselling

Kids Help Line (24 hours a day – 7 days a week)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 or
go to www.kidshelp.com.au for free, private and confidential email or web counselling

headspace
The National Youth Mental Health Foundation who helps young people who are going through a tough time.

Website: www.headspace.org.au/

For information on being in care and leaving care

For children and young people in care, or who have been in care in the past, the CREATE Foundation provides opportunities and advocacy services. Create 1800 655 105 or (07) 3255 3145

Website: www.create.org.au

Child sexual and physical abuse

Bravehearts
Bravehearts aims to empower, educate and protect by providing healing and support, engendering child sexual assault prevention and protection strategies; advocating for understanding and promoting increased education and research.

Website: www.bravehearts.org.au

Protect All Children Today (PACT)
PACT is a community based organisation whose mission is to reduce the trauma experienced by children and young people (aged 3–17 years) required to give evidence in the criminal courts as victims of, or witnesses to, crime.

Website: www.pact.org.au

Australian Childhood Foundation
The Australian Childhood Foundation is an independent national charity that aims to prevent child abuse and reduce the harm it causes to children, families and the community.

Website: www.childhood.org.au

Mental Health

Kids in Mind
Kids in Mind was developed by the Mater Child and Youth Mental Health Services (CYMHS) to provide information on mental health issues facing young people and their families. The site includes information on how CYMHS can help children and young people experiencing school, family and personal problems.

Website: www.kidsinmind.org.au

Child Safety and Injury Prevention

Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia
The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia (CAPFA) provides an education and information service for parents and carers of children on all aspects of child safety and injury prevention.

Website: www.kidsafe.com.au.

Sport and Physical Health

Play by the Rules
The Play by the Rules website provides information and online tutorials on how to prevent and deal with discrimination, harassment and child abuse for those who work in sport and recreation. Play by the Rules is the result of a partnership between the Australian Sports Commission and state and territory sport and recreation and anti-discrimination agencies.

Website: www.playbytherules.net.au

Bullying

National cybersafety and cybersecurity education program
Managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) this program provides information, safety tools, learning programs and other resources specifically designed for children, young people, parents, teachers and library staff.

Website: www.cybersmart.gov.au/

Bullying. No way!
A resource for parents, teachers and children about anti-bullying strategies. Information also available for federal anti-bullying initiative; National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Website: www.bullyingnoway.com.au

Sexual Health

Istaysafe
A Queensland Health youth site.
Note: The information contained in this site has been designed for adolescents and may not be suitable for younger children.

Website: www.istaysafe.com

Learning difficulties

Healthy Start
Healthy Start is an Australia-wide strategy to support parents with learning difficulties and promote a healthy start to life for their young children.

Website: www.healthystart.net.au

Parliament, Advocacy and Law

Queensland Youth Parliament
Go to the website www.ymcaqyp.org to find a whole lot of useful information and links on:

• youth initiatives
• Youth engagement and participation
• Support services for young people
• Schoolies
• The Duke of Edinburgh and Bridge Award
• Indigenous Youth Leadership
• Youth justice

Youth Advocacy Centre
196 Newmarket Road
Wilston Qld 4051
Ph: 3356 1002
Fax: 3356 3002
Opening Hours 9am-5pm weekdays
(between 1-2 an answering machine service is in operation)
Website: www.yac.net.au
Email: admin@yac.net.au

Lawstuff
The National Children’s and Youth Law Centre is an independent, non-profit organisation working for all Australians under the age of 25. The NCYLC tries to improve the conditions and opportunities of Australian children and young people.

Website: www.lawstuff.org.au

Other Government Agencies (Queensland)

Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland
The Anti-Discrimination Commission deals with discrimination, sexual harassment and acts of public hatred. Discrimination can be illegal if it happens because of your:

• Race
• Age
• Sexuality
• Pregnancy
• Family responsibilities
• Breastfeeding
• Relationship status
• Disability
• Parental status
• Gender identify
• Sex
• Political beliefs
• Religious beliefs
• Lawful sexual activity
• Trade union activity

Website: www.adcq.qld.gov.au

Health Quality and Complaints Commission
The Health Quality and Complaints Commission deals with concerns and complaints about health care or treatment in Queensland. Complaints:

• must be raised with us within 12 months of knowing about the problem
• may be made about any aspect of care, e.g. treatment, diagnosis, communication or access
• can be made about public or private health services.

Website: www.hqcc.qld.gov.au

Crime and Misconduct Commission
The Crime and Misconduct Commission accepts complaints about official misconduct of public officials in state government departments and agencies, local government, the Queensland Police Service and members of State Parliament. When making a complaint, make sure:

• it relates to an activity that could be a criminal offence or serious enough to warrant dismissing the officer concerned
• you give as much information and documentation as possible.

Website: www.cmc.qld.gov.au

Queensland Ombudsman
The Queensland Ombudsman deals with complaints about the decisions of public sector agencies. The Office:

• helps people resolve their concerns or complaints about the decisions or actions of state government departments, agencies or local councils
• deals with complaints received by phone, in person, by letter, fax or email
• helps agencies improve the quality of their administration and decision making.

Website: www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au

Other Australian and New Zealand Children’s Commissions and Guardians

National Children’s Commission
Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner was appointed in February 2013. The role will operate under the Australian Human Rights Commission and will advocate for the protection and promotion of the rights of children and young people across Australia. More information, including a website will become available shortly.

ACT Children and Young People Commissioner
The ACT Children and Young People Commissioner (CYPC) is one of three Commissioners within the ACT Human Rights Commission. The CYPC is an independent statutory office created under the Human Rights Commission Act 2005. The role of the CYPC is to help make Canberra a better place for children and young people.

Website: www.hrc.act.gov.au/childrenyoungpeople/

New South Wales Commission for Children and Young People
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People is an independent organisation that advocates for the children and young people of NSW. The Commission works with others to make NSW a better place for children and young people. The Commission reports directly to the NSW Parliament and the Parliamentary Committee on Children and Young People and oversees its work.

Website: www.kids.nsw.gov.au

New South Wales Children’s Guardian
The NSW Children’s Guardian is an independent statutory office set up to promote the best interests and rights of children and young people in out-of-home care in New South Wales. The Children’s Guardian

• is part of the NSW Department of Education and Communities.
• reports directly to the Minister for Family and Community Services.
• can make special reports to the Minister or directly to the Parliament of NSW.

Website: www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/

Children’s Commissioner Northern Territory
The position of Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner was created in the Care and Protection of children Act 2007 (the Act), which was passed by the Legislative Assembly in November 2007. Under The Act the Commissioner has six core functions relating to vulnerable children.

Website: www.childrenscommissioner.nt.gov.au/

Guardian for Children and Young People South Australia
The Guardian is appointed to advocate for and promote the rights and best interests of the children and young people under the guardianship, or in the custody of, the Minister for Families and Communities.

Website: www.gcyp.sa.gov.au/

Commission for Children Tasmania
The Commissioner for Children serves to promote and protect the rights of all children and young people in Tasmania with respect of their health, care, welfare, protection and development. In carrying out her legislative duties, the Commissioner acts independently, impartially and in the public interest.

Website: www.childcomm.tas.gov.au

Commission for Children and Young People Victoria
The Commission for Children and Young People has been established to promote continuous improvement and innovation in:

• policies and practices relating to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people generally in Victoria, and in particular those who are vulnerable
• the provision of out of home care services for children in Victoria.

The Commission acts with independence and impartiality, demonstrating integrity and respect.

Website: www.ccyp.vic.gov.au/

Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia
The Commissioner is the independent person who works closely with children and young people, their families, community and government to make WA a better place for kids.

Website: www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/index.aspx

New Zealand
The Office of the Commissioner for Children was established under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989 to:

• Monitor and review policy and practice under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act.
• Promote the welfare of children and young people and ensure that their rights are recognised.

Website: www.occ.org.nz

External Policy and Research Information

Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)
A national collaboration of researchers, policy makers and practitioners devoted to building a better future for Australia’s children and young people.

Website: www.aracy.org.au

Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership
The Cape York Institute is an independent policy and leadership organisation championing reform in Indigenous economic and social policy and supporting the development of current and future Cape York leaders.

Website: www.cyi.org.au

Growing Up in Australia: the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)
LSAC is a major study following the development of 10,000 children and families from all parts of Australia, investigating the contribution of children’s social, economic and cultural environments to their adjustment and wellbeing.

Website: www.aifs.gov.au/growingup/