Tara Murray
A new report will help Brimbank council to address ways to further improve education and health outcomes for children and young people in the municipality.
The report by the Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute in partnership with Brimbank council, ‘Children, Young People and Health in Brimbank’ looks at the change in health and education outcomes in the region over the 10 years to 2016.
The report found that Brimbank had seen a large increase in young people earning or learning with 84.1 per cent of youth aged 15 to 24 studying or working, up from 72.3 per cent in the 10 years.
There has also been a dramatic decline in children with mothers who have low educational attainment. Both are indicators for children having a greater risk of low educational and life opportunities.
Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the council was pleased to see the improved education outcomes highlighted in the report.
“Education is one of council’s advocacy priorities, it’s the key to young people finding good jobs and opportunities for a better future.
“In addition, supporting social and economic inclusion has been identified as a priority in council’s key strategic document, Together We are Brimbank 2021-2025.”
While the report showed some positive signs, Cr Nyugen said that it didn’t show the impact of the last two years and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite the promising results, the report does not capture the impact that COVID-19 has had on young people’s earning and learning, making the need for programs and support for young people more important than ever.
“Programs delivered by Brimbank Learning Futures, youth services and neighbourhood houses have been informed by local young people and respond to the current challenges that they are facing.”
The report said that there were still challenges in Brimbank. Across the study period, it found the statistics for women smoking during pregnancy, youth unemployment, type 2 diabetes and electronic gaming machine player losses all worsened.
The report was produced as part of the Growing Brimbank partnership with Victoria University.
The council uses data and evidence accessed through the partnership to inform services and pilot programs, and to work with the community to build understanding of health conditions that affect people in Brimbank.
