The YPDC will continue to conduct consultations with young people across Victoria. All findings and comments received by the YPDC and the OYA form the basis of recommendations for action to the Victorian Government. In this way young people are being encouraged to have a say in decisions which affect their lives. It is considered that appropriate weight is given to the views of the child in respect of services provided by the Health Department. The Intellectually Disabled Persons' Services Act 1986, the Adoption Act 1984 and the Children and Young Persons Act 1989 promote the participation of children in decisions which affect them and provide appeal rights if their views are not respected.
All school councils have the discretion to co-opt students as members of the school council.
There is an expectation that secondary colleges will recognise the important perspectives that students bring to a school council and will carefully consider their representation through co-option. Many schools also establish student representative councils to enable children to express their views on matters that affect their schooling. Australian teachers are generally trained to encourage children to give their own views in classroom discussions and to respect those views. Western Australia 272. In both Family Court proceedings and proceedings in the Children's Court to have a child declared in need of care and protection, the child may be separately represented and provide his or her views to the Court.