Thriving Children, Young People and Families Strategy

Thriving Children, Young People and Families outlines the City of Whittlesea’s evidence-based approach to supporting the health, wellbeing and positive development of children, young people and their families in the municipality. It responds to the needs of people from before birth to 25 years. It aims to start a conversation, to inspire innovation and to provide a flexible and adaptive framework to work from.

Goal: The City of Whittlesea has thriving and connected children, young people and families.

Objective 1: Provide services and programs that promote positive wellbeing and development

Priority Actions

1. Deliver quality programs and services that promote children, young people and families’:
   a. Positive health, development and identity
   b. Sense of community and safety
   c. Connection to place, heritage, diversity and natural environment.

Objective 2: Identify and respond to the needs of children, young people and families experiencing vulnerability or risk

Priority Actions

2. Advocate for more access to local specialist services in response to emerging issues including:
   a. Health and wellbeing (physical / mental)
   b. Youth disengagement and its contributing factors
   c. Family violence
   d. Developmental vulnerability.

Goal: The City of Whittlesea has thriving and connected children, young people and families. 

Objective 3: Work in partnership to strengthen service delivery and advocacy

Priority Actions

3. Seek opportunities and funding to coordinate projects, planning, and frameworks for the middle years.
   3.1. Facilitate and advocate for well-planned, integrated infrastructure that supports access, participation and
   connection.
   3.2. Enhance the use of data and analytics to:
   a. make better decisions
   b. measure community outcomes
   c. share insights with the community and our partners.

Objective 4: Provide children, young people and families with opportunities to inform decisions and connect with the community.

Priority Actions

4. Engage with children, young people and families to ensure their voices inform decision making. This includes engaging traditionally under-represented groups and increasing community engagement and decision making with Aboriginal children, young people and community.
   4.1. Develop fast and user-friendly ways of sharing information with the community, service providers and other key stakeholders.