Institute of Child Protection Studies’ Post

This morning Australia's National Children's Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, presented the findings of her report, Help way earlier: How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing, at a briefing hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Child & Adolescent Health & Mental Health. Commissioner Hollonds' report highlights the underlying causes that lead children into the justice system, including the extent to which other systems (health, education, child protection) are unable to deal with an epidemic of unmet needs. She highlighted the postcode lottery that determines whether children and their families are able to access essential services and supports. Help Way Earlier finds that too many children are growing up in poverty and facing violence, homelessness, ill-health and trauma. It provides a clear agenda for action. Like so many challenging issues, we cannot transform child justice without ending child poverty. We must ensure that all children have the material basics, opportunities to learn, play and be part of their communities, and have strong and supportive relationships. We need to address systemic inequalities and provide more for children.