This year with the support of our Board we have embedded the concept of ‘Human Flourishing’ in everything we do. This means all our services, programs, teams, and people have the same laser-like focus on delivering flourishing outcomes for young people.
In our youth services and Y School, we have been able to articulate and measure our impact aligned to Human Flourishing through the implementation of the 5C’s model of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and associated measurement scale – a validated measure that assesses young people’s progress in 5 key areas of development – Competence, Confidence, Connection, Caring and Character (Geldhof, G. J., Bowers, E. P., Boyd, M. J., Mueller, M., Napolitano, C. M., Schmid, K. L., Lerner, J. V., & Lerner, R. M. (2014). The creation and validation of short and very short measures of PYD. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 24, 163-176). This measurement approach supports our program development and reflective practice in our services and programs, and I am pleased to report that our teams have been eagerly exploring their programs with 5C’s and flourishing outcomes in mind.
In our Early Years space, we continue to develop our approach to School Readiness – ensuring that our pre-kindy children in our Early Learning Centres (ELCs) are well prepared for school, armed with the building blocks for success in learning. This year’s report includes a comprehensive update on how our pilot has progressed this year. It is also full of inspiring stories that demonstrate our incredible teams and their commitment to Human Flourishing outcomes for children and young people. I trust you will enjoy reading about their efforts as much as I have. On that note, I would like to take the time to acknowledge all staff for their commitment and dedication to the Y, particularly our award winners, who are outlined in the report this year.
It is also important for us to acknowledge and celebrate our external Safeguarding Excellence rating, as awarded by the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) this year. A rating of Excellence places us first among equals across the country in the pursuit of our absolute commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people. This rating does not happen without incredible commitment and leadership at all levels of the organisation, from our front-line staff all the way through to the Board and I am proud and thankful to each and every person that has contributed to this result.
Despite these triumphs, our year has not been without challenge. We have a had a difficult year in our Children’s Services division as we continue to navigate the long-term effects of the pandemic, which placed significant pressure on the recruitment, capacity and performance of our Early Learning Centres in particular. I would like to acknowledge Anjie Brook, her leadership team and the entire Children’s Services team for their leadership and dedication across the year. I also acknowledge that the progress we have made in addressing these challenges also would not be possible without the support of the entire organisation, including our HR, Marketing, Finance, and other enabling functions. I would also like to thank Chris Campbell as President for his leadership and counsel, and the entire Y WA Board for their unwavering support of our belief and efforts this year.
Overall, our year has been a confident step forward in pursuit of our strategic ambitions– Human Flourishing outcomes for children and young people and I am incredibly proud as CEO to lead an organisation committed to making such a positive impact on the lives of children and young people across the state. This year I have experienced the inspiration of our staff, children, and young people. I have whole heartedly experienced our belief statement ‘We believe in the power of inspired young people’.
2023 has been a significant year in the development of our Growth for Impact Strategy. As our strategy gains momentum, we have spent significant time this year reflecting on what the DNA of the Y (body mind spirit) means to us, to our organisation and ultimately the young people we support day in day out.
With the support of Tim and the Executive we are thrilled to have landed on Human Flourishing as the contemporary manifestation of our DNA. We take great pride in the stories outlined in this report that demonstrate the capacity for young people to flourish. We also reflect that the pursuit of flourishing outcomes is as much about our people and our teams as it the young people and participants they support every day.
We are incredibly proud of the organisation’s excellent result in our recent safeguarding audit. Safeguarding of children and young people is our utmost priority from the Board room through to the front line and we are so pleased to see the efforts of so many formalised in this outstanding result.
In terms of our year, I am always incredibly inspired to read the stories attached to our teams’ efforts as outlined in this report and I know that you too will find inspiration in our achievements this year.
That said, 2023 has not been without its challenges. There is no disputing that we hit some financial headwinds this year, off the back of our ongoing recruitment challenges in our Children’s Services and Early Learning Centres in particular. The Board would like to formally acknowledge the Executive for their leadership through these challenging times and also extend thanks to Anjie Brook and her operational team for their commitment in turning the ship around as we head into 2023/24.
I would also like to thank and acknowledge some of our key stakeholders in the Pilbara – BHP and Child Australia for their ongoing support and commitment over this difficult period.
It would be remiss of me not to thank and acknowledge my fellow board members for their leadership and collective commitment to the Y this year. I would like to acknowledge and thank David Taylor in particular, who retired from the board this year after three years of loyal service. David’s leadership was instrumental in the planning and opening of our Y School in Mirrabooka and we are eternally grateful for his contribution.
What an incredible year it has been as as Youth Advocate of the Y WA. Continuing to amplify the voices of young people on platforms supported by the Y WA has been an absolute highlight.
In a new season of the Y’s youth podcast, YChats, I had the honour of speaking to young people about the topics that mattered to them. We heard about what ‘youth voice’ means and why we need it, got a behind-the-scenes look at working in the music industry as a young person, and heard all about the origins, importance, and continued necessity of LGBTQIA+ activism.
Young people in WA continue to see their voices amplified on the national youth voice publication, WhyNot, sharing their experiences and opinions on mental health, racism, gender equality, and more.
Echoed by young people globally, nationally, and even locally, the Youth Advisory Committee acknowledged climate change and sustainability as a priority, advocating for the Y WA to conduct a carbon audit to assess our emissions and begin identifying reduction strategies – a process we’re pleased to have commenced!
As one young person interviewed on the YChats podcast shares; “if young people are expected to partake in institutions and partake in civil duties and work and be amongst society, then young people should be allowed to have a say in how it runs. There isn’t really a reason for young people to not be involved”.
The Y WA is dedicated to a future where youth voices continue to be amplified, where belonging and growth are synonymous, and where bold aspirations for young people are not just a dream but a reality. Youth Voice is integral to the success of our organisation’s vision.
Together, we are making the world a better place, one young voice at a time, and I am excited for the journey ahead.