The specific needs of children and young people are often overlooked in broader policy aimed at improving population-wide wellbeing. Embedding wellbeing into government decision-making must pay close attention to groups with unique and diverse needs – especially children and young people – to ensure their needs are being met.

The report draws on insights from jurisdictions that have successfully implemented child and youth wellbeing strategies – offering valuable lessons to help strengthen Australian policy. It identifies three key ways they have improved government ways of working. 

1. Breaking down silos and enhancing collaboration.
2. Elevating the importance of child and youth wellbeing.
3. Creating culture change and improving the way policy is developed.

Recommendations

• The Commonwealth should enhance the Measuring What Matters framework’s ability to promote child and youth wellbeing by adding a future generations focus and integrating it with the national Early Years Strategy. 
• The Australian Government should strengthen the Early Years Strategy by placing it under the responsibility of a single cabinet-level minister, publicising key targets, providing adequate resourcing for new programs and policies under the strategy, and integrating the work of state and territory governments under the strategy.
• Australian governments should develop wellbeing strategies that span the whole of childhood and youth. Importantly, these strategies should meaningfully and appropriately include children and young people in their design through consultation or co-design, and ensure strong governance and accountability mechanisms.