Better Futures

Better Futures is a New South Wales Government initiative designed to improve the effectiveness of support and services for children and young people aged 9 to 18 years, and extends on the Family First Initiative.

Objectives of Better Futures

Better Futures (BF) is designed to increase the effectiveness of services across New South Wales for young people and to identify better ways of working with young people aged of 9-18 yrs and is based upon three central concepts:

  1. Recognition of prevention and early intervention as effective, cost-effective in the long term, and empowering to individuals and communities
  2. Focus on community and individual strengths and capacity building
  3. Risk and resilience theory and the place of connection to family, school and community as a protective factor against the development of other at-risk behaviours.

BF will enable the NSW Government to build on our increasing understanding of risks and protective factors for young people; complement existing services and programs; and, encourage innovation and advancements in practice at the local level.

Using a partnership approach, involving all tiers of government and community organisations, BF aims to improve planning of service delivery for young people and to ensure that available resources are used to achieve the best outcomes for young people.

Overarching Principles of Better Futures

Field of Activity (FOA) 4: Strengthening the connections between communities and families is an underpinning principle of the Better Futures Strategy.

The general principles which guide the BF Strategy include:

Participation - Young people should be active participants in the development of policies, programs and services and in decision-making that impacts upon their lives

Opportunity - Young people require fair access to opportunities and services so that they can enjoy life and participate in the community

Collaboration between Services - Consultation, collaboration, and partnerships between organisations working with young people are essential to improving existing services, planning new programs and providing quality services to young people

Prevention and Early Intervention - Focus on these strategies while recognising the need to strengthen critical responses in some key areas

Evidence-based Solutions - Applying what has been found to work, recognising that this may mean changing practices within existing services

Effectiveness - Monitoring and evaluating to measure improvements in key outcome measures for children, young people and families

Fields of Activity

The Better Futures (BF) and the Aboriginal Child Youth & Family (ACY&FS) Strategy builds on the NSW Government's Families First (FF) strategy and planning framework, which is based on Fields of Activities (FOA's) 1, 2, 3, and 4. Better Futures extends on Families First continuing with Field of Activity 4, with an additional 3 Fields of Activities 5, 6, and 7. The ACY&FS covers all seven Fields of Activities and focuses on improving outcomes specifically for Aboriginal children, young people and their families and communities.

The planning framework for FF is based on planning within the Four Fields of Activity, as follows:

Families First Fields of Activity (FOA) for 0 - 8 population:

FOA 1: Supporting parents who are expecting or caring for a new baby

FOA 2: Supporting parents who are caring for infants and young children

FOA 3: Assisting families who need extra support

FOA 4: Strengthening the connections between communities and families

Better Futures, with a focus on young people aged 9 to 18, extends on this planning framework by including an additional four Field of Activities, this has been amended from the 2003-2004 plan which used 3 Field of Activities. With the addition of FOA 4 this focuses on building resilience and increasing protective factors for young people.

Better Futures Fields of Activity (FOA) for 9 - 18 populations:

FOA 4: Strengthening the connections between communities and families

FOA 5: Support the healthy development of young people and their participation in communities  

FOA 6: Keeping young people at school and improving their educational attainment

FOA 7: Supporting young people at very high risk

The Nepean Better Futures Steering Committee has representatives from Government and Non-Government Agencies.

The Better Futures Steering Committee Representatives are currently:

  • Jo Sammut, Communities Division DoCS
  • Jill Schofields, Department of Education and Training
  • Ian Hanslow, Penrith Youth Interagency
  • Leizsha Clissold, Penrith Youth Interagency
  • Robynne Cole, Department of Community Services
  • Sue Eastwood, Department of Community Services
  • Worker, Youth Accommodation Interagency Nepean
  • Joy Sneesby, Department of Housing
  • Katerina Tahija, Penrith City Council
  • Erich Weller, Penrith City Council
  • Graeme Pringle, Western Sydney Area Health Service
  • Bruce Drake, Department of Sport & Recreation
  • Michelle Colless, NSW Police Service
  • Kaylene Kelland, Hawkesbury City Council
  • Marcello Scali, Hawkesbury Youth Interagency
  • Jo Brown, Blue Mountains City Council
  • Annette Coulter, Blue Mountains Youth Services Network

The Steering Committee developed the Nepean Youth Plan in 2003/2004 and 2004/2006 and is responsible for its implementation, monitoring and review at a local level.

For further information on Better Futures contact
Sue Eastwood
Community Projects Officer - Better Futures
(02) 4729 8200
Susan.Eastwood@community.nsw.gov.au