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We are failing our children Queensland is winning the race that no one wants to – we are locking up more children than any other state*. The current youth justice system does not adequately support young people to get their lives back on track and prevent further offending, and in many cases exacerbates the issue…

All children have a right to education. But suspensions and exclusions are going disproportionately to students with a disability. Between 2016-2020, students with disability received 46% of all short-term suspensions, despite making up about 17% of the Queensland school population. The A Right to Learn Campaign is publicly calling on the Queensland Government to conduct…

To the Queensland Government – Do Better. A 13 year old boy has been in solitary confinement, in the “harshest of conditions”, for significant periods of the 32 days he was held in the Cleveland Detention Centre before being released on bail. Due to failings in the government’s records, there is some confusion as to…

Organised by Peak Care Queensland, individuals and organisations across Queensland compiled the below open letter to the Queensland Parliament that was published in the Courier Mail on the 28th January 2023. Our open letter to the Queensland Parliament STOP YOUTH CRIME – GET SMARTER NOT TOUGHER We are organisations and individuals concerned about preventing youth…

Collectively, QAI, ATSILS, PeakCare, YAC, and C4IE are calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the use of school disciplinary absences in Queensland state schools. We need to understand why vulnerable students are being disproportionately excluded from schools and realise the broader implications of this. Read the full media release from QAI here: https://us15.campaign-archive.com/?e=test_email&u=84cc09b1cd038086b88cb850b&id=dec85c739b

Last Friday the Youth Advocacy Centre held our 2022 AGM in South Brisbane. The meeting was opened beautifully by Aunty Dawn Daylight. Cameron Costello was the guest speaker and emphasised his respect and admiration for the work the Youth Advocacy Centre does in the community, and for standing up for young people. He also spoke…

The Youth Advocacy Centre 2021/22 Annual Report is now released and available for download here. The report includes an overview of the diverse services we provide, as well as context of ongoing need for support services for young people in Queensland.

Our Laying Down the Law training program is now available in online format, accessible to individuals or groups across Queensland. You can view the course and enroll here. The training is specially designed for those who are working or volunteering with young people in Queensland. The course will educate you on the most important laws…

ABC’s 7:30 report recently covered the issue of children being detained in police watch houses. This is an issue which YAC and other community groups have been calling attention to for over 30 years. Download the PDF of our media statement here. You can read more information on the topic in our Orange Paper #1 – originally…

The Youth Advocacy Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Hayes as CEO. Katherine’s appointment was made following outgoing CEO Katie Acheson’s decision to step down due to family reasons. YAC’s Management Committee regrettably accepted Katie’s resignation, acknowledging with gratitude the immense contribution Katie made to YAC during her tenure. Katie’s experience, leadership,…