Child and young people advisory group communiques

Resources for young people accessing health services

This document outlines details of the CYPAG meeting that was held on 17^th February 2025.  With the introduction of new CYPAG members, the focus of this meeting was to revisit the group agreement to ensure safety, confidentiality and group values were understood and upheld by all members.  

To encourage continued meeting attendance and ongoing participation, the Terms of Reference (ToR) and Position Description (PD) were updated, particularly terms regarding time commitment and membership requirements were amended. 

Background

The CSW service undertook an Expression of Interest (EOI) process for new CYPAG members in December 2024 due to several members reaching the age requirement of 18 years in 2025 and reduced attendance during 2024 meetings. 

• Three new members were recruited from the EOI process.

Safety and confidentiality within the CYPAG was discussed thoroughly and group agreement was reached that encompassed safety, confidentiality and values (Attachment 1). Safety, confidentiality and values are to remain a standing agenda item to be discussed at the beginning of each meeting to acknowledge and reiterate expectations involved in CYPAG. CSW service also provided members with contact details for crisis and non-crisis support services for any concerns they may experience whilst participating in meetings or consultations and in their own personal lives (Attachment 2).

CYPAG members and CSW service team members discussed values and behaviours that are to be included and excluded within CYPAG meetings (see below). The list of values and behaviours will remain an open list to which members can discuss and add to throughout the year. 

Values to be included:

• Respect
• Listening
• Confidentiality
• Open Communication
• Considered Language
• Kindness
• Empathy
• Support
• Safety

Behaviours that are not to be included:

• Judgement
• Bullying
• Racism 

In late 2024, the CSW service sought feedback regarding members experiences and thoughts on their involvement within the advisory group. Members felt positive about their participation and noted that the group allowed for opportunities to contribute ideas and help drive change within health services. They also felt that the group provided a safe space in which they were able to share various points of views whilst being valued and respected by adults within the service. Importantly, members also felt that through consultations with various business units, child safety was highlighted, and initiatives had been implemented to improve health experiences and wellbeing. 

CYPAG members also noted areas of interest in which future discussion could focus on, with topics including mental health resources for young people from diverse backgrounds, easy to access information regarding drugs and alcohol/party safe resources, information regarding healthy relationships and safe boundaries and visibility in helping children and young people understand their rights within the health system. The CSWS service will investigate incorporating these areas of interest in future meetings and upcoming projects. 

CYPAG members were notified of two opportunities for out of session consultations, a co-design workshop for the 20-Year Preventative Health Strategy with Public Health Services. The workshop was specifically designed for young people to collaborate in the engagement design process, to ascertain the best methods to connect and gather ideas to encourage participation from young people. The workshop took place on the 5^th of March with two representatives of CYPAG attending along with representatives of other interagency young person’s advisory groups. 

Alcohol and Drug Services (AoD) also registered their interest in consulting with CYPAG in 2025 to gather thoughts and feedback on work regarding the current AoD Young Persons Service and Practice Framework. CYPAG members expressed interest in participating, the CSW service is currently in the process of organising a time with AOD. 

What’s next?

The next CYPAG meeting is scheduled for the 17^th April 2025. 

The CSW service will share the communique on the Department’s website Children and young people advisory group | Tasmanian Department of Health