Putting children first: Youth Justice Reimagined

Kids deserve every opportunity to reach their full potential, whether they've been in trouble with the law or not.

Join us for a 90-minute special event with leaders in child rights and youth justice as they reimagine a rights-respecting system that supports kids to thrive.

➡️ FEATURING: a fireside chat between special guest National Children's Commissioner, Anne Hollonds and 54 reasons' CEO, Matt Gardiner.

Anne will share her insights on the topic, drawing on emerging evidence and themes from her current project investigating opportunities for reform of youth justice and related systems across Australia, and her own extensive experience in related fields.

54 reasons' National Policy and Advocacy Lead and our Head of Practice and Impact Measurement will explore areas for policy reform and improved practice.

We'll also hear from practitioners and young people, sharing what the sector can do right now to make rights real for kids who are in contact with the justice system.

Join us in a conversation about the difference a rights-respecting approach to policy and practice can make in transforming the current system for children and young people.

Special Guest:

Anne Hollonds, National Children's Commissioner |Anne Hollonds is Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner. Formerly Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, for 23 years Anne was Chief Executive of government and non-government organisations focussed on research, policy and practice in child and family wellbeing. As a psychologist Anne worked extensively in frontline practice, including child protection, domestic and family violence, mental health, child and family counselling, parenting education, and family law counselling. Anne currently contributes to several expert advisory groups, including the Family Law Council, Australian Child Maltreatment Study, NSW Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault Council, National Plan Advisory Group (NPAG), and Early Years Strategy Advisory Panel.

Speakers:

Matt Gardiner, CEO, 54 reasons | As CEO, matt oversees services delivered across every state and territory, including youth justice, violence prevention, youth services, child development, community development and child wellbeing services. He is on the Board of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and the Chair of the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS). Matt is passionate about therapeutic practice, social justice and advocating for systems change. He has held senior executive roles in some of Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisations and is a leader in innovative models of outcome measurement and contracting.

Howard Choo – National Policy and Advocacy Lead, 54 reasons | Howard leads 54 reasons’ policy and advocacy agenda, pursuing policy reform and system change to promote children’s rights across Australia. This agenda spans across 54 reasons and the wider Save the Children Australia Group, recognising that children’s rights are best secured through a comprehensive approach that addresses all aspects of a child’s ecosystem, from the local to the structural, and is strongly shaped by insights from 54 reasons’ services and practice. Howard has extensive experience Howard previously held executive roles in the Victorian Government, where he led strategic policy projects and education and justice system reform to improve social equity and address disadvantage. Howard is also Chair of the Board of the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC), the peak body representing school-age students in Victoria and a student-led organisation supported by an adult Board.

Kylie ​Williams – Head of Practice and Impact Measurement, 54 reasons | Kylie has extensive experience leading transformational change to improve service delivery, evidence-informed practices and client outcomes. Her 30 years’ experience spans frontline service delivery, operational leadership, service design and practice governance. Her passion for child rights and approach to designing practice around an uncompromising focus on what children need, has have been recognised through National Child Protection Awards, National Mental Health Awards and State Based Industry Awards. Kylie is a social worker and trained family therapist, with post grad qualifications in developmental trauma, business, training, leadership and management. In her current role, she oversees practice, clinical governance, client outcomes measurement, research and evaluation and child and youth participation for 54 reasons at a national level.

We'll also hear from our Practice Manager for Youth and Community Development and Team Leader for our Youth Justice Services in Queensland.

Access this event via your browser or the Microsoft Teams app. A link will be sent a few days prior to the event. If you are on a mobile device you may need to download the app.