This is a short reportback from the mental health survey undertaken of the youth sector in October 2012 with regards to funding uncertainties. It has been used in advocacy to the Department of Communities and is informing sector responses to youth sector changes.

The following report is based upon data collected from a survey administered by the Youth Affairs Network of Queensland (YANQ) in September and October 2012. Those surveyed are members of YANQ and provided their responses on the condition of confidentiality. This report has been used in advocacy to the Queensland Government.

This report outlines the findings of the Good Practice in Integrated Service Delivery research projects undertaken with the Queensland youth service sector with specific focus on two localities; Gold Coast and Townsville. It is a reflection of current practices in collaboration and integration service delivery practices and explores the critical ingredients required for good practice to exist.

Click here to download the full report

The “Engaging Young People through Social Media” report captures the findings and recommendations from work conducted by the Youth Affairs Network QLD, supporting the Australian Government's inquiry into effective methods of service promotion and information delivery to young people, particularly those most disengaged, through the use of social media.

The project aimed to:

• Identify key policy and practice issues which can enhance the use of social media by disengaged or marginalised young people, including examples of effective policy and service implementation by organisations
• Develop an evidence base underpinning the key success factors contributing to use of social media by disengaged or marginalised young people

Feedback was sought from all parts of the Queensland Youth Sector including community agencies, local Government organisations and State/Federal Government frontline services who work directly with young people. More than 60 organisations and departments contributed to this report, either online or through in-person interviews, along with 25 young people identified as significantly disadvantaged by appropriate agencies.

Click to download the Consultation Report

This report would not have been possible without the detailed consideration and input provided by over 80 participants at YANQs “What is Youth Work” consultations held in March 2012.  Workers’ honesty, straight talking and genuine commitment to young people shone throughout, even where they expressed differences of opinions.  It was a privilege, in particular, to work alongside Steve Fisher, YANQ's Murri Project Officer, and to listen to and record the perspectives of Murri and other First Nation participants.  A lot of people told me to write this report in clear English, with a minimum of “jargon” or technical language and remain focused on the “real” nature of working with young people.  I hope I’ve managed to do this and to reflect everyone’s views.  Sincere thanks to all participants for taking time from busy schedules to contribute their ideas, especially those who also promoted and helped organise each session in their own region.

In 2011, the Youth Affairs Network of Queensland (YANQ) received a small amount of funding from Queensland Health to undertake research into workforce issues impacting on the capacity of youth workers to engage in sexual health education with marginalised young people.

This report has now been released online - you can download it by clicking here.

Marginalised young people have been consistently identified as a high risk group in relation to sexual health. YANQ received anecdotal feedback that in recent years that youth workers are not engaging with young people and providing them with information and support in relation to sexual health matters. This research seeks to explore what impacts on youth workers’ ability to provide effective interventions around sexual health? What knowledge, skills, resources, value and ethics, training and support is available to youth workers? What do youth workers identify that they need and what workforce development strategies are recommended to enable the youth sector to respond more effectively?

YANQ has been seeking the views of the youth sector and state government departments in Queensland as well as national peak bodies in relation to updating and refreshing its approach to advocating advancement of multiculturalism. The consultation process has sought to capture and be informed by sector views, requirements for support and to develop an approach for coordinating advocacy with other key stakeholders at state and national levels. This report summarises our work so far.

Download Multiculturalism_in_Queenslands_Youth_Sector_-_Where_to_Next_2012.pdf

This exciting new resource from YANQ aims to support youth organisations in increasing participation, consultation and inclusion of young people with a disability into their service. The resource:

1. Outlines current thinking and practices on youth participation and consultation.
   
2. A guide for youth service organisations to effectively, professionally and safely engage young people with a disability in the work and operations of community organisations.
   
3. Covers critical areas of consideration in the development and implementation of youth participation and consultation activities, with practical frameworks and tools to inform practice.
   
   

Click here to download the resource kit

Section One is concerned with defining terms such as young people, participation and consultation, and the role of youth services.

Section Two initially explores access and equity issues through a questionnaire and then presents three models of youth participation as they relate to community organisations.

Section Three explores youth participation, consultation and governance mechanisms and activities, and provides practical tools and checklists are provided for use when engaging in youth consultation processes.

Click here to download the resource kit

"The Murri Youth Sector in Queensland" report outlines the conduct and findings of a significant research project undertaken with Murri youth services in three parts of Queensland. It presents a summary of themes and draws attention to some of the possibilities for future actions and research that have emerged from an evidence base that has not previously been documented on the profi le and demographics of this sector.

Download the report here: Murri Youth Sector in Queensland report

On July 14, 2010, YANQ launched the report called "Re-engaging Students in Education: Success Factors in Alternative Schools".  This report is the result of research that aimed to answer the question "how do 'alternative' schools attempt to meet the needs of young people disengaged from the mainstream schooling sector?"  The report outlines the research that was undertaken, provides findings, and offers recommendations on a number of points. 

The report is available for download here: Re-engaging students in education report