COVID-19: Advice for sectors that support young people
For the latest information on COVID-19 in South Australia call 1800 253 787 or visit www.covid-19.sa.gov.au and the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019.
For the latest information on COVID-19 in South Australia call 1800 253 787 or visit www.covid-19.sa.gov.au and the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019.
A number of grants and funding have been made available from state and commonwealth governments to sectors that support young people.
Information about these opportunities is available at www.covid-19.sa.gov.au. The updates from the Premier and the Prime Minister on the homepage of this site also have the latest grant and support announcements.
An example of funding that the South Australian youth sector is highly encouraged to consider is the COVID-19 Support Grants under Grants SA. Eligible not-for-profit community organisations can apply for up to $10,000 to continue to deliver programs during the public health emergency.
The Government of South Australia (via the Department of Human Services) will be co-hosting an online forum with the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia to hear directly from a range of sectors that support young people about current needs and what will be most helpful going forward. Further details will be released soon and updated here.
The development of the Strong Futures: SA Youth Action Plan was a year in the making and launched around the same time as COVID-19 hit. For this reason, the Plan doesn’t currently refer to COVID-19 related issues. Strong Futures Projects featured in the Plan however are intended to be co-designed further with partners and are adaptable over time.
As projects are developed, and we consider the longer term impacts of COVID-19, we look forward to providing further information about support available to young people and the sectors that support them.
Visit the links above or head to YACSA’s Smashed Avocado for news and resources tailored to suit young people’s most common questions and concerns about COVID-19.
Looking for somewhere to just hang out and be heard online? The Commissioner for Children and Young People also has a new Hub space that can help you stay connected online with other young people.
It’s normal to feel stress and worry when there is a health event happening in the community that is affecting people’s wellbeing. It’s important to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. Check out our top tips below.
If you need help and support at this time, useful places to start are:
Wellbeing SA’s new platform, Open Your World, contains a wealth of information on looking after yourself and others, connecting, staying active and health and learning at home.
SA Health – Information for Parents, Carers and Children About COVID-19 and where to go for help
SA.GOV.AU is the best place for South Australian citizens and businesses to find government services and information. Just search ‘youth’ or ‘young people’ and you’ll find a wealth of resources and services available across the state.
Further useful phone numbers and websites are listed below.
Be You supports children’s and young people’s mental health in early learning services and schools, from early years to 18. Be You is lead by Beyond Blue and replaces the KidsMatter mental health and wellbeing initiative for children.
Counselling services for children and young people from 5–25 years old.
Phone 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, every day).
National youth mental health foundation for children and young people from 12–25 years old.
Phone 1800 650 890.
QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people. The service provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer-supported telephone, and web-based services to people of all ages experiencing psychological distress, social isolation, discrimination, poor mental health, experiences of being misgendered and/or other social determinants that impact on their health and wellbeing.
Phone 1800 184 527 (3.00pm-midnight every day).
Advice on children’s health and parenting, including feeding and settling babies, for parents and carers.
Phone 1300 364 100 (24 hours, every day).
Call CARL if you suspect children or young people are being abused or neglected.
Phone 13 14 78 (24 hours, every day).
HCSCC helps people with complaints about health or community services provided in South Australia.
These services may include (but are not limited to):
Phone 8226 8666 or lodge a complaint online.
In 2016, the South Australian Government introduced the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016 that gives powers to the following independent bodies in South Australia:
The Act recognises the rights of children and young people in accordance with the law and those set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The bodies under the Act, are charged with representing the best interests of children and young people in South Australia, including advocacy for systems changes.
In 2018, the State Government also appointed a Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
Another important state advocate for young people and those that work in the sector is the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia.
The state government aims to continue to maintain good working relationships with key state youth advocates.
The South Australian Government, in collaboration with the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia and young people, produced Better Together: A Practical Guide to Effective Engagement with Young People. This resource is a starting point for engagement with young people in decision making processes and includes practical tools and tips to plan and undertake successful consultations and engagement.
1. Dept. of Human Services Review 2019 was informed by recent consultations representing 6,000+ voices of young South Australians sourced from:
2. Youth Panel Report – SA Youth Action Plan Consultation, Dept. of Human Services 2019
3. Dept. for Innovation and Skills 2020
5. ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2015
The Strong Futures: The SA Youth Action Plan (2020–2022) ceased in December, 2022.
The Department of Human Services is currently working towards establishing a new plan and is engaging with key internal and external stakeholders including young people.
To stay up to date with the development of the plan, please visit DHS – Youth
For information on the new SA Youth Action Plan, contact:
Mark Hollis
Principal Policy and Programs Officer
P: 8415 4538
E: youthactionplan@sa.gov.au