Draft Youth Inclusion Framework

The public exhibition for the Draft Youth Inclusion Framework has now concluded. Submissions were welcome until 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025. Thank you to everyone who contributed feedback to help refine the framework and support the importance of youth across our city and neighbourhoods.

Submissions are now being reviewed, with a report being prepared for a future Council Meeting incorporating any public comment, at which point Council will be requested to adopt a final Youth Inclusion Framework. The Youth Inclusion Framework will become effective once it is adopted by Council.

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Following the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 10 March 2025, Council has endorsed the Draft Youth Inclusion Framework for public exhibition. The framework, designed to create a city where young people are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive, will be available for community feedback over a four week period ending at 5pm on Monday 14 April 2025. This is a key opportunity for the community, especially young people, to share their input and help shape a more inclusive and youth-friendly Parramatta.

What is the Draft Youth Inclusion Framework?

The Draft Youth Inclusion Framework provides the evidence-base, methods and tools to support and enhance youth inclusion outcomes in services, programs and projects that impact or engage with young people in Parramatta.

Why do we need a Youth Inclusion Framework?

We spoke to over 700 young people and community members, who asked for action from Council in responding to the needs and aspirations of young people in our city and across the neighbourhoods. The Youth Inclusion Framework is our response to that call to action.

Council values the contributions to our community made by the almost 37,000 young people aged 12-24 years old, who live in Parramatta, as well as those who visit for work, study or play. This value is reflected in over 80 youth services and programs already offered by Council. These services include arts, technology, recreation, education, events, employment, community grants and community capacity building.

There are many opportunities and services for young people already offered by Council and others. We heard that those services need greater support, coordination and promotion. We sought to understand how we can support anyone making decisions or providing services to improve their youth inclusion outcomes. The draft Youth Inclusion Framework would become the cornerstone of that response.

Our Draft Hierarchy of Models

1. Foundational models are critical to this frameworks implementation and achieving youth inclusion outcomes. Without them, achieving and accurately measuring youth inclusion outcomes cannot be certain.
2. Supporting models are more specific models, that can be applied on a contextual basis and help ensure the effectiveness of a program or project.
3. Enhancement models support aspirational and enhanced outcomes. Effectively implementing these models, alongside the foundational models and any appropriate support models, will improve outcomes.
4. Support resources to support this frameworks implementation, Council will develop and make available support resources that directly align with our research and the models.