As we enter 2025, I have found myself reflecting on the year that has been and looking forward, with hope, to the brighter and better things the New Year might bring.
It has been my privilege to work with and for children and young people across our island State during 2024.
In doing so, I have strived to understand how our children and young people are experiencing their lives and to weave what I have learned into my advocacy on issues that affect them.
There is no doubt that decision-making and service delivery are strengthened when we hear and value the voices of our young Tasmanians.
Through the Voices of Young People in the Youth Justice System Project, young people with lived experience of Tasmania’s youth justice system powerfully share their insights about the system.
The most recent instalment in the Voices Project is titled, “Kids that have fallen through the cracks” – Young people’s views on supporting children, young people, and their families.
This latest report explores the types of supports young people believe can help reduce the likelihood that a child or young person will have contact with our youth justice system because of their behaviour.
While the vast majority of young Tasmanians will never come into conflict with the law, as one young person astutely said, “…Most kids that get locked up or in trouble they’re usually kids that have fallen through the cracks before…”
So, what do they say is needed?
- To be treated with respect and have their basic needs met
- To be and feel safe and cared about
- To receive services that are tailored to meet their individual needs
Are these not the key ingredients that many of us need to live a good life?
The challenge is to turn this vision into a reality for all our children and for the benefit of our entire community.
As many enjoy a summer of time spent with loving family and supportive community, healthy food in ample supply, and in comfortable, safe homes (or indeed, beach shacks), let’s remember that these positive experiences are sadly not shared by many of our State’s children and young people.
Let’s be thankful for all that we may have, but let’s also want these things for all children and young people, and their families.
Let’s also extend our gratitude to the many tireless, dedicated Tasmanians who work with and walk alongside children and their families in the pursuit of this vision.
Every day, these hard-working Tasmanians get up and go to work to make sure that children and young people receive the best chance possible for a life well lived.
Through my policy, monitoring, and advocacy work, I have the great privilege of talking with many of these hard-working Tasmanians.
I hear their stories about the things that are going well, and I note their frustrations, largely triggered by the things they say they don’t have but need, to better provide for those needing their support.
So, my wish for the New Year is two-fold.
I want our child and family workforce to be better recognised and to feel valued, supported and sustainably resourced in their work.
And I want every child and young person in Tasmania to be and to feel safe, loved, respected, and listened to. Each and every one of them.
Isabelle Crompton, Interim Commissioner for Children and Young People
Media Contact:
Mark Thomas, M&M Communications
0422 006 732