A health and wellbeing programme for preadolescents in underserved Australian communities: child and stakeholder perspectives.

Social inequities in childhood affect children's health and development. Active In-Betweens is a weekly, healthy lifestyle and outdoor activity after-school programme, tailor-made for preadolescent children (9-12 year olds), incorporating a strengths-based, trauma-informed, co-designed and place-based approach. This study evaluated the extent to which the programme strategies and activities met the anticipated short- to medium-term programme outcomes during its first year of operation in two socio-economically disadvantaged housing communities in New South Wales, Australia. A qualitative case study used data from semi-structured interviews with child participants (n = 11) and key stakeholders (n = 10). A broad range of positive outcomes were described. Children's feedback indicated they had experienced opportunities which facilitated the development of new physical activity skills; new healthy eating experiences and knowledge; positive relationships with peers and facilitators and new connections with neighbourhood programmes and outdoor environments. Stakeholders valued the programme for the positive outcomes they observed among the children and the strong organizational partnerships which resulted. The importance of skilled facilitators to deliver the programme, the engagement of local stakeholders and a long-term commitment to programme delivery, with secure funding to ensure continuity, were clearly identified as integral for effective, sustainable outcomes.

Backyard swimming pool safety inspections: a comparison of management approaches and compliance levels in three local government areas in NSW.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Since 1992, swimming pool fencing has been a legislative requirement in New South Wales (NSW), yet compliance with the NSW Swimming Pool Act is mixed. Local councils are responsible for the enforcement of the act. However, their approach to enforcement and the management of backyard swimming pool safety inspections is varied. METHODS: A random sample of backyard swimming pools was inspected in Council A and existing compliance data for pools in two other councils (B and C) were obtained. Pool owners in Council A were surveyed regarding their attitudes to pool fencing and inspections. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with council employees. RESULTS: Pool compliance rates across the three council areas varied. In Councils A and C, 51% and 54% of pools, respectively, were found to be non-compliant at the first inspection. Following re-inspection in Council A of 227 pools, a further 125 pools reached compliance. In Council B, 97% of the inspected pools were compliant. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of poor backyard swimming pool safety compliance where local government inspection activity is minimal or non-existent.