March Advocacy Wrap Up

30 March 2026

Jan - March 2026 Snapshot


  • Young Parents Charter gains Ministerial attention across jurisdictions 

  • Young people influencing national reform through consultations and inquiries 

  • Submissions influencing disability, child safety and legal systems 

  • New opportunities to get involved, speak up, and shape change 

  • CREATE has a new website 

 

Feature: Young Parents Charter 

 

The Young Parents Charter is gaining traction, with early engagement from Ministers across jurisdictions. The Charter puts forward clear expectations for how young parents in care should be supported. The Charter is grounded in lived experience and draws on the UK's “corporate parent” model, which has driven reforms across Wales and the UK, including:   

  • stronger statutory obligations,  

  • scaffolding and preventative supports,   

  • a whole-of-government approach to supporting young parents with care experience. 

 

Charter progress: 

 

  • Shared directly with Ministers and key decision-makers 

  • Initial responses received, with more engagement expected 

  • Advocacy continuing to push for formal commitments to supporting young parents in care. 

 

National updates


  • World Care Day, 20 Feb: The sector rallied behind children in care in a big way this year. Our pledge template was downloaded 622 times and commitments to supporting kids in care were made nationwide 

  • CREATE travelled to Aotearoa New Zealand to attend Kōkiri: The Future Speaks hosted by VOYCE. We exchanged learnings and supported our Young Consultants from South Australia and Victoria to share their lived experience and advocacy work on the international stage 

  • CREATE is continuing national advocacy across child safety, participation and system reform

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A collage of World Care Day pledges

 

Photos of the CREATE Contingent at the VOYCE Conference in New Zealand

National opportunities

  • Sponsor our youth-led conference and be at the forefront of conversations that matter. Learn more 

  • Mission Australia Youth Survey: Have your say on what matters most. 


State updates

QLD

Latest updates 

 

  • SHIFT (Ministerial Youth Advisory Network) met to discuss foster and kinship care; young people highlighted the importance of connection to culture and self-determination 

  • Consultations in Cairns and Toowoomba informed CREATE’s report for the Department on different types of care 

  • Submission made to the QCAT review and CREATE is finalising submissions for the Commission of Inquiry.

 

A photo of the SHIFT members holding a message stick gifted to CREATE on Country with Kuku Yalanji Elders and Traditional Owners 

 

Opportunity

 

  • Art competition open for young people aged 0-25 with a care experience. Learn more. 

 


TAS

Latest updates 

 

  • Submission made to Tasmania’s Disability Inclusion Plan 

  • CREATE Young Consultants and staff joined a workshop by YNOT and the Department to help shape a Youth Participation and Empowerment Guide. 

“It [the system] should be built for us, but it isn’t,” – Quote from young person shared in CREATE’s submission to the Disability Inclusion Plan. 

 

Opportunities 

 

  • Join YNOT’s regional roadshows. Learn more. 



NT

 

Latest updates 

 

  • Young people participated in a roundtable discussion by the Office of the Children's Commissioner Northern Territory (OCC) on cost-of-living pressures  

  • OCC released part 2 of the Inquiry into the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre (ASYDC) Reduced Capacity Plan. Read it here. 

 

A photo from the roundtable on cost-of-living 

 

Opportunities 

 

  • Opportunity to co-develop a Future Generations Bill proposed for introduction into the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly by end-2027. Email [email protected] to express your interest 

  • Submit a speech to be presented in NT Parliament. Learn more in the image below or contact us [email protected]

SA

 

Latest updates 

 

  • CREATE joined calls on the major parties to match other states on child welfare in the lead up to the South Australian election. Read more. 

  • Early in the year, the team visited Whyalla, Port Augusta, and Port Pirie on a regional tour to connect with young people, workers, and stakeholders.  
    - 65+ workers trained; 8 young people completed Speak Up training
    - Youth Advisory Group focused on transition from care
    - Meetings with Aboriginal Family Support Services and KWY Aboriginal Corporation to strengthen collaboration and create culturally safe spaces.  

 

A photo from our regional tour in January 2026 

 

 

Opportunity

 

  • Limited free tickets available to the 2026 Forest Festival by Nature Play SA on 15 & 16 April. Email [email protected] with the subject line: ‘Forest Festival’ and include your name, email, postcode and preferred number of tickets for your family to be considered. First come, first served.

 

 

WA

 

Latest updates 

 

  • Guide to Allyship: Young people in WA developed a new resource to upskill carers and workers supporting LGBTQIA+SB young people. Scroll to the end of our Resources page to download

  • Young people from regional WA met with CREATE to discuss the challenges they faced growing up in care. They identified gaps in practice, communication and support which CREATE will share with the Department. 

 

Opportunity 

 

 

ACT

 

Latest updates 

 

  • CREATE Your Future workshop: Young people in the ACT took part in an interactive session focused on building the skills and confidence needed for life after care. Learn more about CREATE Your Future. 

 

NSW

 

Latest updates 

 

  • Calls mount for independent inquiry into children living with convicted killer. CREATE CEO Imogen Edeson urges a full investigation into systemic failures. Read more 

  • Young people participated in consultations to review the Child Protection (WWC) Act 2012 

  • NSW moves closer to a Human Rights Act. Read more  

  • CREATE Young Consultants provided feedback on upcoming TV show ‘Unruly Girls’ and reviewed the script for a film called ‘Trigger’, influencing media representation of family violence and out-of-home care experiences.  

 

A group photo with the team from Unruly Girls (upcoming tv show) 

Opportunity 

 

  • The CREATE NSW and VIC teams will be visiting Albury/Wodonga, during the April school holidays. Get in touch with us for more information at [email protected]

 

VIC

 

Latest updates 

 

  • Victoria passes historic Corporate Parent Bill. Read more 

  • CREATE supported members from the Youth Expert Advisory Group (YEAG) to travel to New Zealand and present on transitions to independence at the international conference, ‘Kōkiri: The Future Speaks.’  

 

Opportunity 

 

  • Nominations are now open for the annual Victorian Protecting Children Awards. Make a nomination

  • We’re travelling to Albury/Wodonga during the April school holidays. Contact us for more information. 



What's changed

 

  • Young people are influencing decisions earlier rather than being consulted at the end 

  • Stronger collaboration with decision-makers driving system change 

  • More opportunities are opening for young people to shape policy and reform. 

 

Want to get involved?

 

Contact your local CREATE team.