A whole-of-Government report on the wellbeing of children and young people in the ACT has been released by the Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Rachel Stephen-Smith.
The biennial report includes data and trend information critical to informing the make-up and delivery of Government services and initiatives.
A Picture of Children and Young People in the ACT 2018 provides an overview of national and local indicators relating to the health, wellbeing, learning and development of children and young people between the ages of 0-to-25 years in the ACT.
Ms Stephen-Smith said that since the first report in 2011, the general trend for the ACT showed that most children and young people were faring well.
Noting some of the outcomes in the report, she said more children were fully immunised, with a significant rise for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, up from 89.1 per cent in 2016 to 96.8 per cent in 2017.
She said a greater proportion of Year 12 graduates were either employed or studying, up from 91.9 per cent in 2014 to 93.4 per cent in 2016.
There had also been a decrease in the proportion of secondary students reporting they used alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.
Ms Stephen-Smith said that while the report highlighted some great successes and improvements it was known that some children and young people in the community remained at risk of disadvantage and continued to face significant challenges.
“We will continue to work to address these,” she said.
She said the report supported an evidence-informed approach to providing services for children and young people.
“This information helps to inform planning, policy and integrated service delivery across our human services programs,” the Minister said.
The 96-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
