Physical health 34 Wellbeing and resilience 41 Keeping children safe from harm 45 Summary 50 Strong families and confident parents 51 Parenting capability and confidence 51 Strong families 54 Formal and informal supports 58 Summary 62 Conclusion 63 Acronyms 64 Endnotes 67 Minister’s foreword This year’s State of Victoria’s Children Report explores opposites. Its theme—tipping the scales for children’s positive development—contrasts protective factors and risk factors in the lives of children and young people. The majority of young Victorians fare well. They are loved, they thrive, they learn and grow to sound adulthood. But too many fall behind in infancy and never recover. Some encounter in childhood a range of situations, mainly relating to disadvantage, that tip the scales against good health, wellbeing and achievement. Others struggle with the perils of adolescence and its heightened risks of depression, uncertain identity and disengagement from school and community. A child or young person cut off from learning at any stage of their development is in danger of missing the fullness of life’s opportunities. Education is not only an engine of social progress and economic prosperity. It is a great enabler of personal growth and intellectual, emotional and social maturity. It is fundamental to forming stable relationships and acquiring rewarding work.
Physical health 34 Wellbeing and resilience 41 Keeping children safe from harm 45 Summary 50 Strong families and confident parents 51 Parenting capability and confidence 51 Strong families 54 Formal and informal supports 58 Summary 62 Conclusion 63 Acronyms 64 Endnotes 67 Minister’s foreword This year’s State of Victoria’s Children Report explores opposites. Its theme—tipping the scales for children’s positive development—contrasts protective factors and risk factors in the lives of children and young people. The majority of young Victorians fare well. They are loved, they thrive, they learn and grow to sound adulthood. But too many fall behind in infancy and never recover. Some encounter in childhood a range of situations, mainly relating to disadvantage, that tip the scales against good health, wellbeing and achievement. Others struggle with the perils of adolescence and its heightened risks of depression, uncertain identity and disengagement from school and community. A child or young person cut off from learning at any stage of their development is in danger of missing the fullness of life’s opportunities. Education is not only an engine of social progress and economic prosperity. It is a great enabler of personal growth and intellectual, emotional and social maturity. It is fundamental to forming stable relationships and acquiring rewarding work.
state_of_victorias_children_2015.docx