Youth Participation Strategy 2016/17
Project Name
Project Description
Project Rationale
Expected outcomes
Deliverables
Stakeholders
Evaluation
Resources required
for 12 month period
headspace Gladstone Youth Reference Group
This project is designed to establish a Youth Reference Group which will provide a forum for
young people to contribute to the strategic and operational direction of the organisation.
A practice principle contained in State Youth Health Policies is Youth Participation. The
policies recommend that young people be actively involved in developing, implementing,
reviewing and evaluating youth services and programs. They suggest that young people’s
participation in service delivery increases mutual respect between service providers and
adolescents; as well as providing young people with a sense of ownership and involvement in
programs.
Youth participation is a directive from headspace National Office. As emphasised in the
headspace Youth Participation paper 2011, establishing a Youth Reference Group which
comprises a diverse range of experience and motivation, rather than a consumer group; is the
suggested model to achieve this. This model requires formal structures and youth friendly
ways for young people to express their opinions and exercise decision-making power.
Goals
Develop a sustainable and effective framework for a youth reference group for headspace
Gladstone. The framework would ensure young people are engaged with headspace by way
of consultation, decision making processes, projects and campaigns.
Aims
Involve young people in:
 Planning;
 Providing feedback on service models;
 Resource development;
 Youth targeted community awareness activities.
 Peer support strategies.
1. Development and implementation of a consultative structure will require clarification of
organisational objectives and commitment to the group. It is recommended that:
1.1. a heaspace staff member oversee the group which would ensure a meaningful
experience for group members that is sustainable;
1.2. Available training opportunities, campaigns, community events and food and
beverages as incentive for participation.
2. Prepare for recruitment of 6 – 10 participants.
3. EOI to be circulated through networks and key stakeholders for recruitment of young
people as Reference Group Members.
4. Provide training opportunities to induct and up-skill recruited group participants.
5. Conduct Youth Reference Group meetings on a monthly basis.
 Young People aged 12 – 25.
 Families & Friends.
 Mental Health Professionals.
 Youth Service Providers.
 headspace Management and Lead Agency
To ensure there is a mechanism for Youth Reference Group Members to feedback their
experiences of participation in the Reference Group, an evaluation form will be completed at
the end of each meeting.
Dedicated Staff Member: Youth & Community Engagement Leader
Training: source funding externally and/or utilise staff in-house.
Community Awareness Events: Refer to Awareness Plan 2016/17 + YrG Strategic Plan
2016/17
Youth reference Group 2016/17| headspace Gladstone
headspace Gladstone
Youth Reference Group (YRG)
Terms of Reference
Group Rules
Be accepting – no judging
Be friendly
Be open minded
Be encouraging
Respect differences
Treat everyone equally
Be fair and nice
Laugh with each other
Be understanding
Be respectful
Punctuality
Show commitment
Be mindful
Listen to others ideas
Have manners
Clean up after ourselves – headspace is OUR space
There’s no ‘I’ in team
Love yourself
Share the responsibility for upholding these rules
Scope
headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early
intervention mental health services to 12-­25 year olds. headspace centres are located
across metropolitan, regional and rural areas of Australia. Each centre can help with
mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug or work
and study issues.
headspace Gladstone services young people within the Gladstone region.
headspace has a youth centred approach to participation; engaging young people in
shared decision-­making about the service.
Youth reference Group 2016/17| headspace Gladstone
Background
The headspace Gladstone Youth Reference Group (YRG) is a group of young
people who advise headspace Gladstone on its operations. The YRG was
created in January 2016 and was instrumental in assisting staff members in the
establishment of the Gladstone Centre prior to and since its opening in April 2016.
YRG Mission Statement
To give a voice to young people in promoting mental health awareness, reducing
stigma and enhancing youth participation throughout the community.
Purpose of the YRG
To give young people the opportunity to influence service delivery by advocating for
issues that are relevant and matter to them, through:
 exchanging ideas and improving access to mental health services for young
people.
 reducing stigma and increasing knowledge of mental health and the importance
of early intervention within the community.
 ensuring headspace Gladstone meets the needs of young people in the region.
 advising headspace Gladstone on current youth topics and issues.
 providing guidance on headspace Gladstone focus areas.
 providing input on how headspace Gladstone can improve the experience of
young people who walk through our door.
 brainstorming ideas on how we might reach young people in our community who
need us most.
 helping headspace Gladstone evaluate what’s working, and what isn’t, and
ensure we’re regularly asking these questions.
 any other means by which the YRG can enhance the operations of headspace
Gladstone.
Roles and Responsibilities of the YRG
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Contribute positively to the YRG
Regularly attend meetings where possible
Acknowledge that there will be times where it won’t be possible to attend
meetings, and be prepared to keep in touch during these times via Facebook and
email.
Volunteer time to develop projects and attend events
Be involved in online groups or be contactable between meetings so that ideas
can be progressed
Nurture an inclusive and respectful culture
Respect members’ confidentiality
Take ownership of allocated tasks and ask for help if needed
Support other members with their tasks if you are able to
Youth reference Group 2016/17| headspace Gladstone
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Work together and share responsibility for outcomes
Act in a professional manner when representing headspace
Refrain from expressing personal views as belonging to headspace
Provide an induction to new members of the YrG through the recruitment process
Role of headspace Gladstone
The headspace Gladstone Youth and Community Engagement Leader coordinates
(YCEL) the YRG in close consultation with the YRG Chair and other YRG members.
The YCEL and headspace Gladstone are responsible for:
 Providing ongoing mentoring and support to YRG members in fulfilling their roles
 Identifying training needs for YRG members in youth leadership, mental health
and other project-­related areas, and providing such training
 Coordinating meetings and communications, and generally supervising the YRG
 Assisting the YRG in YRG led projects
 Keeping the YRG informed about headspace matters that are relevant to them
 Responding positively to YrG recommendations and supporting YrG initiatives
Recruitment of YRG members
YRG membership is open to all young people between the ages of 12-­25 who are
interested in contributing to the work of the YRG.
The YRG values diversity and positively seeks to recruit members from diverse groups
including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQI+, male and female, young
people with disabilities, and young people who have lived mental health experiences
The recruitment process is as follows:
1. The YRG applicant fills out an application form and submits it to headspace
2. Informal interview with YCEL by phone or in person
3. The YRG discuss the application at the next meeting and if the applicant satisfies
the membership criteria the application is accepted
4. The new YRG member is introduced to the YRG and appointed a buddy from the
YRG whose job is to help the new YRG member settle in and feel comfortable
5. The new YRG member receives an induction package including a letter of
appointment, participation agreement, terms of reference, emergency contact
information form, parental/legal guardian consent form and media release forms,
and is added to the Facebook discussion group
6. New YRG members are welcomed and inducted at the first meeting of every
month
7. YRG membership is ongoing with no time limit, however will end on their 26th
birthday.
Youth reference Group 2016/17| headspace Gladstone
Allies of the YRG
Individuals from community organisations or the community who do not fulfil the
membership criteria but who have an interest in helping the YRG through their
expertise, connections or resources may become an Ally of the YRG by invitation from
the YrG.
Allies of the YRG may be invited to participate in meetings and projects on request.
Roles within the YRG
The YRG appoints internal roles such as Chair, Secretary, Social Media
Coordinator and other positions as needed to serve the YRG.
 Roles are appointed on a yearly basis in June/July.
 People nominate themselves and each other for roles.
 Appointment of roles is decided by majority vote.
Decision Making Process
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A minimum of 3 YRG members must be present to vote on decisions
YRG decisions are to be by majority vote. Where a decision can’t be made, input
can be requested from a staff member or ally of the YRG.
The YRG may make recommendations to headspace based on group decisions
The YRG may request reasons from headspace if a recommendation is not
followed
Group Check In
At the beginning of each meeting everyone checks in to say how they are feeling. Time
will be set aside at each meeting for YRG members to express and resolve any issues
with the group.
Drug Free Space
YRG members must not attend YRG meetings or events under the influence of alcohol and
other drugs, and must refrain from glorifying the use of alcohol and other drugs to other YRG
members as it could be triggering or harmful to them.
Youth reference Group 2016/17| headspace Gladstone
General
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The YRG meets monthly at headspace Gladstone on Wednesdays from 4 to
5:00pm
The YCEL compiles the agenda in consultation with the YRG.
YRG members can have input on agenda by contacting the centre or via the
Facebook discussion group
The YCEL and YRG members share responsibility for chairing meetings, time
keeping and taking minutes
Information is shared primarily on the Facebook discussion group and through
regular phone, email and Facebook message contact between YrG members
and the YCEL.
Review and Evaluation of the Group
This Terms of Reference and YRG operations are to be reviewed and evaluated at the
last meeting of the financial year and may be reviewed at any other time if required.\
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Developed by YRG 10/05/2016
approved by Centre Manager: ____________________Date:___________
Next review 10/05/2017
approved by Centre Manager: ____________________Date:___________
Youth reference Group 2016/17| headspace Gladstone