CREATE Foundation

CREATE Foundation was established in 1993 to provide an independent voice for children and young people in out-of-home care in Australia. CREATE seeks to connect and empower children and young people in care and, change the care system through activities, programs, training, research and policy advice. CREATE is unique in that it is one of only a handful of organisations in the world, and the only organisation of its kind in Australia, expressly established to advocate on behalf of children and young people in care. CREATE believes in the spirit of youth participation and as such is run by, with and for children and young people in care. CREATE’s vision is “that every child and young person in care is safe, loved, cared for, actively participating in decisions that impact on their lives and fully supported by the care system.”

CREATE offers a range of programs and services to children and young people in care (up to the age of 25 years), as well as to out-of-home care sector workers and officials. CREATE has offices in every state and territory capital city, and works in partnership with a range of child and family welfare sector stakeholders, as well as the corporate and philanthropic sectors. In addition to delivering a range of programs and activities for children and young people, CREATE also provides policy advice to governments, trains out-of-home sector workers, undertakes research and consults on special projects.

• clubCREATE – a free membership club for children and young people in care. Members are provided with regular newsletters, birthday cards invitations to events, special deals/discounts and random member prizes.

• Show me … Program - a fun, creative and adventurous one-day event for young people in care aged 14 – 18 years and an adult in their life (eg. worker, foster carer, sibling, relative). ‘Show Me the Ropes’ and ‘Show Me the Circus’ are two of the models used in local communities. This event empowers young people to strengthen their relationship with a significant adult, expand and strengthen their existing networks and create relevant links for their future

• mission:be Program – is a leadership, self-development, team building, goal setting and mentoring program for young people in care aged 14 – 18 years. This module-based program is delivered to young people over a three month period with a focus on community development, weekend residential programs and community activities. CREATE staff members and youth gradutates of the program as well as a team of community members actively contribute to the planning, development and delivery of the program. mission:be is a fun and exciting program that assists participants to build and enhance self esteem, leadership and communication skills, relationships, and community involvement.

• Young Consultants Program - CREATE strongly supports youth participation throughout all aspects of the organisation, supporting youth leadership skill development and providing young people in care with a platform to share their views. CREATE supports young people with a care experience between the ages of 14 – 25 years to become ‘Young Consultants’. This program increases young people’s knowledge of the Australian care sector and offers young people training and ongoing development in areas such as public speaking, presentation skills and project management. Trained Young Consultants are then provided with paid and voluntary opportunities to share their unique perspective to increase public awareness of out-of-home care and contribute to positive change within the care sector. CREATE Young Consultants have spoken at forums, conferences, training programs, parliamentary inquiries and to the media, as well as contributing to research activities and project work.

• Special Events – CREATE often runs special events such as activities for children aged under 12 years, Christmas parties and other fun and exciting events.

CREATE regularly seeks the views of young people with a care experience through a variety of surveys, focus groups and consultations. This research is then used to increase opportunities for children and young people in care. Young people who have been in care and are interested in sharing their views should speak to a CREATE staff member in their local office (call 1800 655 105) to find out about upcoming research activities