Page 1812 - Week 05 - Thursday, 2 April 2009
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The integrated family support project demonstrates what we can achieve when caring professionals, public resources and innovative leadership come together to help vulnerable families help themselves. The earlier we intervene, the more we prevent, the better the outcome for individuals, families and the community as a whole.
We have also been very committed to helping every young person feel like they fit in. Students who are questioning their sexual identity or who identify with a particular sexual preference should get support. Student services programs offered in schools by school counsellors and youth workers make an important difference. Every high school has a pastoral care coordinator who assists other teachers in providing social and emotional learning to all students.
In turn, issues of identity can be sensitively addressed. School counsellors provide valuable support to young people who are trying to understand their own sexual identity. And through the new curriculum framework, all ACT schools examine sexuality, particularly looking at personal identity, sexual identity and relationships. Skills to enhance resilience—in particular, communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, problem solving and asking for help—are also included.
To further strengthen pedagogy, the education department currently offers professional learning for teachers in sexuality and relationships education. This is delivered with support from education officers at Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT. This professional learning helps teachers develop the skills and confidence to address current relationship issues within the classroom and across the school.
Extending beyond schools, we also fund youth agencies and services to deliver support through the youth support program. Here I would like to commend the work of the volunteers who deliver the Bit Bent youth community group. Bit Bent is a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning group that holds weekly gatherings at U-Turn Youth Services in Belconnen and Woden Youth Centre for young people aged 12 to 25. Volunteers contribute their time to facilitate the group and provide a safe, comfortable, pressure-free atmosphere. These volunteers give up their own time for a great cause, and I am sure every member of the Assembly joins me in thanking them.
In spite of these efforts, I remain concerned at the levels of homophobia in our schools and in our society. Further action is needed and will be delivered. And I am glad this is an area where there is now cross-party consensus. It is good to know that these programs are no longer politically controversial.
As I foreshadowed last December, what I have outlined today is a strong, progressive Labor agenda for children and youth—a year of action and a year of planning for the future. Our approach to children and youth, simply put, is practical help for all Canberra’s children and young people—all kids, not just the challenging cases or the teen prodigies; everything from child friendly planning to green-collar jobs; from healthy lifestyles to helping dads play; helping the most vulnerable to help themselves; pressing ahead with early intervention; meeting immediate needs in our community; special care for Indigenous children and young people; doing our best for
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