Policy submissions

As part of our advocacy work, Berry Street submits to state and federal government inquiries on issues that impact children, youth and families. These submissions outline our policy positions and recommendations for change.

Our Y-Change team also makes policy submissions, positioning the voice of lived experience at the forefront. For our Y-Change team (young people who are trained and employed as Lived Experience Consultants), change means advocating for a better future for children and young people — one that is designed in partnership with them.

Published submissions

Berry Street Submission to Inquiry into State Education System

The submission calls for a greater commitment to whole-school approaches to trauma-informed education such as the Berry Street Education Model and an appreciation for the important role of fee-free trauma-informed flexible non-government schools like the Berry Street School.

Review to inform a better and fairer education system consultation

Senate Inquiry into the issue of increasing disruption in Australian school classrooms

Yoorrook Justice Commission into the Systemic Injustice in the Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems

Y-Change submission to the Victorian Youth Strategy

'Beyond Giving Voice: Partnering with young people with a lived experience to imagine and create radical change' makes 10 recommendations to create a future where all young Victorians can thrive. Its underpinning message is the importance of embedding lived experience led approaches to realise service system and cultural transformation (December 2020).

Y-Change submission to the Inquiry into Homelessness

'Homesick. Dreamin’ of a House to Call Home' makes 10 recommendations to improve the Victorian homelessness system. Its overarching message is the importance of collective responsibility as a community, as homelessness affects us all (March 2020).

Submission to the Inquiry into the adequacy of Newstart and related payments

Our submission highlights that adequate social security payments like Newstart are critical to ensure parents and families can focus on staying together safely (November 2019).

Submission to the Inquiry into Early Childhood Engagement of CALD Communities

Berry Street's submission calls for a child and family service system that properly caters to people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds (November 2019).

Submissions to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System

Preliminary and formal submission

Berry Street's preliminary submission sets out key issues and 3 focus areas that will make a real and lasting impact for vulnerable children, young people and families (May 2019).

Berry Street's formal submission builds on our preliminary submission. We emphasise that the Victorian Government needs to invest in early intervention to help strengthen families and keep them together safely (August 2019).

Y-Change submission

‘Curing the Sickness of the System’ makes 7 recommendations, including shifting towards holistic and therapeutic care in Victoria's mental health system (July 2019).