About
This consultation has concluded
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Provide your feedback on measures to strengthen the oversight of child protection matters in South Australia, and ensure greater advocacy for the rights and wellbeing of children.
What is being decided?
In accordance with recommendations from the Child Protection Systems Royal Commission, the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Bill 2016 (PDF 190KB), establishes the independent Commissioner for Children and Young People, in addition to the Child Development Council.
The Bill also consolidates the work of the Guardian for Children and Young People and the ChildContinue reading
About
This consultation has concluded
-------------------
Provide your feedback on measures to strengthen the oversight of child protection matters in South Australia, and ensure greater advocacy for the rights and wellbeing of children.
What is being decided?
In accordance with recommendations from the Child Protection Systems Royal Commission, the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Bill 2016 (PDF 190KB), establishes the independent Commissioner for Children and Young People, in addition to the Child Development Council.
The Bill also consolidates the work of the Guardian for Children and Young People and the Child Death and Serious Injury Committee into a single Act of Parliament.
The proposed laws will address gaps in the oversight of child protection in South Australia and improve advocacy for the interests of children and young people. The Bill aims to ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard, and that their wellbeing and safety are comprehensively protected. The changes also address issues surrounding the monitoring, referral and review of child protection matters and system-level issues.
The reforms seek to implement recommendations 245-248 and 250-253 of the Child Protection Systems Royal Commission report, The Life They Deserve.
This Bill is part of the State Government’s ongoing commitment to child protection reform, where the welfare of the child comes first.
To find out more, download the fact sheet (PDF 43KB).
*Thank you to participants who previously made a submission regarding the powers and functions of the Children’s Commissioner. Please be assured that your feedback is being reviewed and will be considered in the drafting of the final Bill. If you have feedback on the remainder of the draft Bill, we welcome your input.
How can your input influence the decision?
Your feedback will be taken into consideration in the drafting of the final Bill, which will be publically available when introduced to Parliament.
Provide your feedback:
Feedback will be accepted until 5pm, Thursday 15 September 2016. The final Bill will be publically available when it is introduced to Parliament.
Background
The Child Protection Systems Royal Commission was established in August 2014 to investigate the adequacy of the child protection system in South Australia (the SA Royal Commission).
Royal Commissioner Margaret Nyland and her team looked at the laws, policies, practices and structures currently in place for children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect including those who are under the guardianship of the Minister. The SA Royal Commission received 374 submissions, examined 10,800 documents and conducted 74 stakeholder engagements. The final report was publicly released on 8 August 2016.
Since the release of the Nyland Royal Commission Report, the State Government has committed $200 million towards responding to the recommendations, many of which are already underway. A full and detailed response to the Royal Commission’s 260 recommendations will be presented before the end of the year.
