A young people’s consultation group– Our Voice Our Vision – has been running at Ashley Youth Detention Centre (AYDC) since June 2024. The group was part of recommendation 12.8 from the Commission of Inquiry and upholds the fundamental rights for young people to actively participate in decisions about their lives. It has an Independent Chair from the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF).
Meetings are held monthly in the café at the Ashley school – a familiar, informal setting and young people, who attend in small groups, have embraced this opportunity to speak up and have participated enthusiastically. Some of the issues they have raised include having increased outside time, later bedtimes, healthier food choices, and sturdier, more comfortable shoes to wear.
Young people’s feedback has been well received and has driven some meaningful changes: the most notable of these are that young people are now provided with better-quality trainers which do not fall apart so easily and that AYDC has also introduced later bedtimes.
The Chair reports that: “Many young people have been able to reflect on the positive impact that later bedtimes have on their mood and relationships with other young people and youth workers.”
“The key theme from the young people’s group remains connection with others. Young people continue to advocate strongly for more improvements including increased opportunities for sporting and social activities, particularly on weekends, and more contact with family and friends.”