Page 4882 - Week 11 - Thursday, 21 October 2010
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MS BURCH: I do not have the detail of the money trail, so I can bring that back. There is an active working group, as I have said. Am I part of that active working group? It is between the chief executive of DET and DHCS. Minister Barr and I talk around this, but the two departments talk about this as well, and that is the active group. There are terms of reference for a disability education working group, and the membership of that is: manager, disability education and manager, learning support, the Catholic education office—so it is even broader than the two agencies—the Association of Independent Schools, a principal representative, a representative of Therapy and a representative of Disability ACT. So this is a broad conversation. It is not just public schools and Minister Barr’s schools. It is not just Disability ACT. It is about ensuring that the non-government providers as well are lined up in this conversation.
Mrs Dunne: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what is the aim of the transfer of responsibility and services from the Department of Education to DHCS?
MS BURCH: I would say the premise behind any change to service is ensuring effective and efficient delivery.
Children and young people—consultation
MR HARGREAVES: My question is to the Minister for Children and Young People.
Mrs Dunne: You’ll be waiting a long time.
MR HARGREAVES: For you guys I would wait a long time.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Hargreaves, your question, thank you.
MR HARGREAVES: My question is: how does the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engage and consult with younger people?
MS BURCH: Thank you, Mr Hargreaves. The ACT Labor government is committed to meeting the needs of all young people in the community, particularly vulnerable young people, and recognises the ACT community and its young people as a diverse group whose needs vary according to their social, economic and cultural backgrounds. This is reflected through the government’s ongoing commitment to engagement with young people, the community, the government sector and the non-government sector.
The department, through the Office for Children, Youth and Family Support, continually engages and consults with young people in order to meet the government’s commitment. We have got a young people’s plan for 2009-14 that demonstrates significant ongoing consultation with young people. Throughout 2009 the department engaged with up to 600 young people face to face and through surveys.
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