Policy
YAPA aims to achieve social justice for young people, including the appropriate provision of services to young people.
At all times YAPA will remain an independent advocate for young people, and will not use its position to unfairly advantage one individual or organisation over another.
Procedures
YAPA will only write a letter of support in the following instances
- The requested project does not seek to duplicate or replace the work of YAPA.
- The organisation has had previous contact with YAPA and is known by YAPA.
- When the identified project is within the realm of our core business (training, advocacy etc), or has been identified as a major issue through YAPA strategic planning process, ie statewide Indigenous youth project.
Letters of support will not be written for
- direct service or general youth projects, ie graffiti workshops, where application is made from a competitive funding source (ie, the applicant competes with another organisation for funding).
- a project where a conflict of interest exists. Board members and staff members make known any conflict of interest issues. Board members must not participate in a decision making process if they are employed by that organisation or if they are represented in that organisation's governance structure.
All letters of support must be approved in advance by the Board of Management. Letters of support must be kept on file for at least 12 months as funding bodies may phone to verify the letter.
In instances when a letter of support cannot be written, a letter of statement may be written stating the importance of a particular issue without recommending or naming one organisation over another. A letter of statement may be written which highlights the results of YAPA consultations or research. Letters of statement must be approved by the Executive Officer.
In instances where YAPA becomes aware that an organisation has claimed our support or endorsement, without our consent YAPA will immediately inform the relevant funding body and the relevant organisation.
YAPA staff members and Board members may participate in steering committees and advisory groups to advise on allocation of funding grants. YAPA may also be asked for opinion from Funding Bodies regarding specific applications.
In these instances staff members and Board members are to ensure that the highest standards of professionalism are maintained.
Relevant principles to guide such decisions are: impartiality, confidentiality, best practice and evidence based service delivery, equity with a special focus on disadvantaged young people including geographically isolated young people, youth participation in service design and delivery and proven expertise in service delivery.
Date adopted by the Board of Management |
21 st October 2004 |
Date of commencement |
15 th December 2004 |
