Launch of 'Working Together' — a new Smart Justice for Young People action plan.

The problem of over-representation in Victoria's criminal justice system is critical, and requires an immediate, evidence-informed and sustained response.

This issue disproportionately affects children and young people from First Nations and multicultural backgrounds, children living in residential care and girls and young women with complex needs.

Working Together is an action plan for sustained collective and coordinated action. It is relevant to all decision makers working with young people (aged 10-25) across the government and community sectors. 

Working Together is the culmination of two years of consensus building amongst Smart Justice For Young People coalition members, and acknowledges that no single organisation, law change, policy reform or practice shift will achieve the necessary change — especially when demand is ever-increasing and resources are constrained. 

We must work together in genuine partnership.

The action plan contains 49 broad 'system level' recommendations relevant across government, as well as recommendations for six specific portfolio areas:

1. Criminal and civil justice systems
2. Policing
3. Health and wellbeing
4. Housing and material needs
5. Children, families and their community
6. Education
   

We look forward to your participation in this session and building our shared understanding of what Working Together means, and how we can implement real and sustained change.



About the Victorian Council of Social Service
VCOSS is the peak representative body for Victoria’s social and community sector, and the state’s leading social advocacy organisation. We work towards creating a Victoria that is fair, just and inclusive. A society where nobody is trapped by poverty, and everybody is supported to live a life of wellbeing.

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