In March the Guardian released two reports on the monitoring of residential care in 2012-13. One report focused on the larger residential settings that provide care to eight to twelve residents and the second report focused on the smaller residential care environments.
In collaboration with Muggys, we have been preparing our next round of consultations with young people in care. Individual interviews and group consultation will commence early in June.
The third comic book developed by children and young people in care is based on the theme of negotiation. Illustrator Richard Dall and writer Daniel Watson have done their work and the artwork is prepared to go to the printer. It will be launched in June.
In March we welcomed CLASS and Community Lifestyles to the Charter family when the Guardian presented each with their certificates of endorsement. This brings the total number of endorsing agencies to 62. We now have 238 registered Charter Champions.
The office is piloting a card game which allows young people to explore the role of rights in their lives in a fun way. Advocates will be asking young people to test the new game in their monitoring visits and using their feedback to develop the rules and put the cards into production at the end of 2014.
After farewelling Belinda Lorek, Advocate, who commenced parenting leave and Yvette Roberts, Office Manager, who has joined SA Health, the team has welcomed Sarah Bishop, Advocate, and Meagan Klapperich, Office Manager.
In the January to March quarter the Office of the Guardian received 29 requests for intervention that fell within our mandate, involving 43 children and young people in care. The Senior Advocate audited 51 annual reviews and the Advocates made eight official visits to residential or youth justice units.
