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Youth policy

 

What is a Youth Policy? 

Why Develop a Youth Policy?

Key Principles

Step by Step process

Youth Policy and Council Structure

Checklist for Developing a Youth Policy

Queensland Local Government Youth Policy Examples  

What is Youth Policy?

A policy is a plan of action for addressing issues or setting standards. They are living things, not just a list of static aims, objectives, goals or laws. 

According to Bridgman and David, "Policy is the instrument of governance, the decision that directs public resources in one direction but not another.  It is the outcome of the competition between ideas, interests and ideologies that impels our political system. "

"Policy is often no more than what government chooses to do or not to do.  It is inherently difficult to define, but can be described by some its' characteristics which include:

  • Is intentional, designed to achieve stated or understood purpose
  • Involves making decisions, and their consequences 
  • Is structured and orderly 
  • Is political in nature 
  • Is dynamic"
    ("Australian Policy Handbook" 1998)

For Local Government, Youth Policy is about deciding what your Council's position or direction is on a particular issue.
(Bikes, Bands, Strategic Plans)

TIPS:

  • Every Policy needs a plan
  • Support your policy with information
  • Connect the policy with resources
  • Be Realistic
  • What Local Government processes can the policy connect with

A policy can be presented or formatted in a number of different ways.   This can sometimes depend upon the audience it is intended for. 

When developing a Youth Policy for Local Government it is possible to present this in a number of different ways. For example, the council could develop a policy that is formatted and suitable for internal processes.  Furthermore they can format and style the policy specifically for their community of young people.

The same messages is being articulated but in different ways for different audiences.  This can greatly impact how the message is sent and received and effectiveness of the policy to the community.


Why Develop a Youth Policy?

There are a number of reasons why it is important for Local Councils to develop a youth policy.  Some of these reasons why includes that:

  • It formalises and legitimises Council's position on young people 
  • It links local youth issues into Council's formal decision making processes 
  • It shows leadership on local issues that affect young people 
  • It instils collaboration and ownership by the community, young people and government sector on issues related to young people 
  • It is an inclusive community process 
  • It provides a framework or a mandate for Councils' role in Youth Affairs

Key Principles

When developing a youth policy for Local Government there is a number of key principles that should be included to ensure that it meets its aims and objectives.  The policy should:

  • Include leadership on young peoples issues (possible link to a council example)
  • Promote inclusive practices for young people 
  • Provide a meaningful framework for Engagement.  This framework includes Information, Consultation, Participation, Involvement, Collaboration and Empowerment. 
  • Include both human and financial resourcing (possible link to a council example) 
  • Provide a Strategic and Operational Focus (possible link to a council example) 
  • Be developed and implemented by local young people in conjunction with Council (possible Link to a council example)

Step By Step Process

Consider the Context

  • What is Council’s current position or direction in regard to young people?
  • What is Council’s usual method of policy development?
  • Are there any International, State and /or Commonwealth policies which will impact on your policy development?  Eg.  UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Federal Department of Families and Community Services and Queensland Department of Communities
  • What is the current perception of young people by the broader community?  Will this accept a level of acceptance by the Council?
  • How much support is there within council for a youth policy?
  • What is the Councils current commitment and strategies for Engaging Young People? 

Preparation

  • What is the purpose for developing a policy?  Be clear so that you are able to ‘sell’ the idea to elected members or other council staff.  List the factors that have led to the need for a policy
  • What is the best way to develop a policy? Should it stand alone, or be part of another policy?
  • How will it be approved?

Develop a Plan

Make up a plan for the development of the policy including a timeframe.

It may be useful to talk to staff in other councils where youth policies have been developed to get an idea what they did, and also what the final policy looked like.

  • Who will be affected by the policy?
  • What impact is it likely to have?

Identifying stakeholders

Engaging  a range of people will give them a stake in the policy and help them take responsibility for the issues dealt with in the policy.  Include:

  • Staff from other relevant sections of council
  • Elected members
  • Young people
  • Youth services
  • State and Federal representatives
  • Business sector

A committee or steering group made up of representatives from these groups may be an effective way of managing the policy development.

Identifying Issues

Make sure that a wide range of young people are engaged in the process.  This is across both the span of the council area, young people and community.

  • What are the issues that concern young people in the area?  You will need to consult widely, and also use existing research and statistical information

Develop Options

 Complex problems have more than one possible solution. Sources of options include:

  • Consultation with stakeholders
  • Researching action take by other councils
  • Historical research
  • Creative thinking by all involved

Options need to be linked to Councils’ major policy directions, such as the Corporate plan and any other statements which include Council goals.

You will need to look at the various roles that your council may wish to play on particular issues.

  • What sort of things can Council do about these issues?

Write up a policy

Write up the proposed policy for circulation to all involved.  Your policy will probably include:

  • Aims and objectives
  • Definitions
  • Principles and values
  • Statement of roles and responsibilities
  • A plan for implementation

Circulate, discuss, amend and finalise

Seek Final approval from council

 Implement

 Putting the council policy into practice may involve:

  • Commitment of money, staff and support to identified youth issues
  • Publication of information
  • New or different responsibilities for council

 Review

Is the policy achieving its desired effect?

  • Is it as good as it could be?  Are changes needed?
  • Is the policy still relevant?
  • Does it still conform to Councils / Mayors policy directions?
  • Are there some new issues for young people that aren’t covered by the policy?  You might need to revisit some of the earlier steps, or even start from scratch.

Source:  Bikes, Bands and Strategic Plans

Youth Policy and Council Structure

When developing a Youth Policy it is important to connect it with Local Government structures that exist and inform service delivery.  The following are council structures which the youth policy could connect with for it to be more effective:

  • Corporate Plan 
  • Budget 
  • Operational Plan 
  • Human Resources Policies

So what does a policy look like?

Every Local Government generally has a developed  process and style that must be utilised for each of its policies.  This process and style has been developed specifically for internal processes.

When developing a Youth Policy, it is important to ensure that this has been written in a format that is open and accessible to young people.  This may mean developing other versions of the policy so that it is age appropriate and accessible.

The LGAQ Resource Bikes, Bands and Strategic Plans developed a Youth Policy Framework for Local Government that can be utilised when developing a youth policy.

TIPS:

  • Try not to use Jargon
  • Be aware that people have different levels of literacy and numeracy
  • Mulitple methods of presentation means more people can learn about the policy
  • Polices do not have to be long, boring, stale documents.  They can be presented in lots of different ways and formats

The LGAQ Young People and Cultural Diversity Resource include a Policy and Planning section.  Within this section a format has been identified that can be used when developing a youth policy.  Some of the headings can include:

Aims and Objectives

What do you want to achieve for young people and for your community?

Definitions

What do you mean by young people and other terms used in the policy? 

Principles and Values

What you value or care about in relation to young people and their place in your community?

Key Issues

What are the important issues for young people in your area?
How council will deal with these issues? 

Roles and Responsibility

What roles and responsibilities council sees for itself in addressing youth needs?
Who is affected by the policy?
Who will put it into practice?
Who will pay for what? 

Plan for Implementation

What needs to be don, when and how to achieve goals of the policy?
When should be done if things go wrong?
When and how the policy will be reviewed and evaluated?

Checklist for Developing a Policy

Principles for Youth Development  have been developed for when you are developing a youth policy, program and / or working alongside young people.  These principles were developed by the New Zealand Ministry of Youth Development  and can be used as a checklist.  

Youth Development is Shaped by the Big Picture

The 'Big Picture' means; the values and beliefs systems; the social, cultural, economic contexts and trends; the international treaties (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) and National Policy.

Youth Development is about Young People Being Connected

Healthy development depends on young people having positive connections with other in society.  This includes their family, their community, their school, training, institution or workplace and their peers.

Youth Development is based on consistent strengths based approach

There are risk factors that can affect the health development of young people there are also factors that are protective.  'Strengths based' policies and programs will build on young people's capacity to resist risk factors and enhance the protective factors in their lives.
            

Youth Development happens through quality relationships

It is important that everyone is supported and equipped to have successful, quality relationships with young people.
          

Youth Development is triggered when young people fully participate

Young People need to be given opportunities to have greater control over what happens to them, through seeking their advice, participation and engagement.
          

Youth Development needs good information

Effective research, evaluation and information gathering and sharing is crucial.

  

These resources are also available in the library:

Youth Policy Framework for Local Government
A Policy framework for Youth Policy in Local Government