Audit Office of New South Wales’ Post

The NSW Ombudsman has released the special report Protecting children at risk: an assessment of whether the Department of Communities and Justice is meeting its core responsibilities.      The report concludes that the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) – the state’s lead child protection agency, cannot demonstrate that it is meeting any of its three core child protection responsibilities: - to respond to any child reported at risk of significant harm (ROSH) who requires an investigation,  - to improve the safety and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care (OOHC) and secure safe, permanent homes for them, and  - to intervene early to prevent escalation of risk of harm to children and keep families together. Read more here, including analysis of previously unpublished data, and important new findings about critical parts of the child protection system – and to download the full and summary reports tabled in the Parliament of NSW today. https://lnkd.in/g8s6BWDh   #childprotection #childrenatriskofharm #OOHC

As an individual working in the system reading this report i am sadly not shocked by the findings. A wave of helplessness washes over me, tinged with anger and frustration. For those of us desperate for change for the children, young people and their families in the system, It feels like I'm slamming against a brick wall, unable to make any headway. Sadness creeps in, a heavy weight settling in my chest. The child protection system requires a significant overhaul. Business as usual won't suffice. Strong leadership is needed to implement effective reforms that prioritise the safety and well-being of vulnerable As usual the report emphasises the importance of improving outcomes for Aboriginal children, and listening to the voices of First Nations people and children themselves is crucial to achieving that goal. Will this time be different will we actually action their perspectives and experiences to inform culturally appropriate interventions and improve the overall effectiveness of the child protection system.

New research by the Rights Lab, University of Nottingham and ECPAT UK has found that dwindling police and local authority resources, increased workloads, lack of training, institutional biases, and changing political priorities have led to a significant rise in child exploitation through modern slavery, prompting calls for a comprehensive national strategy, as Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons reports. ❝Poor data collection and recording at a local level is deeply concerning and suggests that the UK’s wider child protection response to child victims and those at risk is inadequate.❞ - University of Nottingham Rights Lab & ECPAT UK report ❝It is not a coincidence that the numbers of children in exploitation have skyrocketed recently. Many vulnerable children were left unprotected during the pandemic, putting them at risk of being groomed into criminal and sexual exploitation.❞ - Eleanor Lyons, UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner ❝These regressive measures have followed from significant decline of political commitment and prioritisation regarding child modern slavery, and an increase in an anti-immigration political rhetoric not substantiated by evidence.❞ - University of Nottingham Rights Lab & ECPAT UK report ❝No child should fall through the gaps. Against a growing backdrop of more children being exploited more must be done.❞ - Eleanor Lyons, UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner [SUBSCRIBER ARTICLE] https://lnkd.in/d8ThnWRx #lawenforcement #policing #police #crime #childexploitation #modernslavery

With a sharp rise in notifications from non-government schools in 2023, the IEU urges members to keep up to date with child protection legislation and obligations. Read more in Newsmonth https://lnkd.in/gDeUNdBV #ChildProtection #IEUnewsmonth

COMMERCIAL CHILD PROTECTION INDUSTRY Actually still nothing but a prison camp Sometimes young people had no access to water or food, sexually transgressive behavior, discrimination, physical violence, being locked up for more than 20 hours a day. Jason Bhugwandass I like to make the comparison with the EBI (extra secure facility) there Holleder and Taghi are in cells 21 hours a day, that is comparable to these children. Maarten van Ooijen The State Secretary of the Christen-Unie: "We expect that settings like these offer safety to young people and employees." The De Winter Committee in 2019, research into violence in youth care from 1945 to 2019, shows that 75 percent of young people experienced violence. https://lnkd.in/eERXtfiN

QSAN appearanced recently before the Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee to provide evidence on the Corrective Services (Promoting Safety) and Other Legislation Bill 2024, supporting improvements to make the registration process easier for victims to join the Queensland Victim's Register.  We also made the other arguments for-: # Improved communication with victims survivors about the existence of the Victim's Register. # Legislative clarification about the rights of victim survivors to make submissions to the Parole Board, if they choose. # Amongst other things, that victim survivors be provided a reasonable time to participate in the Parole Board decision and # Ensuring victim survivors be provided information about the offender's release dates and release conditions within reasonable times to ready themselves emotionally and, to take protective action if required eg. A domestic violence and protection order.

Speaking truth to power

Abstracts submissions are invited for our 2025 conference: Practising Intersectionality in Child Protection: Making sense of the lived experiences of racially minoritised children and bridging the gap between policy, research and practice For full details and link to submit an abstract click here: https://lght.ly/0i0b2je #intersectionality #childprotection #racism #livedexperience #culture #safeguarding #intersectional #culturalcompetency

Child protection IS everyone's business, and every conversation matters. This Child Protection Week, we asked our team why they believe "every conversation matters" in child protection. Here's what they had to say... #childprotectionweek #everyconversationmatters #childprotectioniseveryonesbusiness #hearingchildrensvoices #wearescs NAPCAN | Queensland Child Protection Week

🇪🇺 The European Commission recently adopted Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/1238 on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child. This landmark Recommendation aims to encourage all relevant authorities and services to work together in a holistic way —‘under one roof’— to ensure the protection of children’s rights. COPE enthusiastically welcomes the Recommendation! Integrated child protection systems lay the foundations to develop more sustainable and impactful support solutions for children. 🤝 When a child experiences a parent’s imprisonment, policies and interventions that make a greater, more positive difference to their lives are those that are co-developed and implemented by all relevant stakeholders with whom children come into contact. For example, by building bridges between law enforcement professionals and school staff, or prison services and child protection, support solutions that address the unique and changing needs of children can be developed. Mutual coordination allows stakeholders to outline joint and individual cross-sectoral responsibilities, as well as assess and evaluate support and interventions. An integrative approach to child protection—and this important EU Recommendation— mark a positive step towards more robust systems, where children's rights are guaranteed and their well-being protected when a parent is in prison. 🔗 Read the full Recommendation here: https://lnkd.in/d7k-7pUs To learn more about the role that children's ombudspersons can play in helping to promote and implement integrated child protection approaches, read COPE's latest briefing: https://lnkd.in/dV5CurVT #parentalimprisonment #childsafeguarding #childrensrights