Safe & Supported: the National Framework for Protecting ...

1 THE National Framework THE National Framework FOR Protecting FOR Protecting AUSTRALIA S children AUSTRALIA S children 2021 - 20312021 - 2031 THE National Framework FOR Protecting THE National Framework FOR Protecting AUSTRALIA S children AUSTRALIA S children 2021 - 20312021 - 2031 Commonwealth of Australia 2021 ISBN 978-1-921130-12-0 (PRINT) ISBN 978-1-921130-13-7 (ONLINE) Copyright notice 2021 This document Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia s children 2021 2031 (the National Framework ) is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International Licence URL: Please attribute: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Social Services) 2021 Notice: 1. If you create a derivative of this document, the Department of Social Services requests the following notice be placed on your derivative: Based on Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Social Services) Inquiries regarding this licence or any other use of this document are welcome.

2 Please contact: Branch Manager, Communication Services Branch, Department of Social Services. Phone: 1300 653 227. Email: ..1 Foreword ..2 Seeking support ..3 Introduction ..6 The National Framework ..8 Supporting the National Agreement on Closing the Gap ..9 Why we need a new National Framework ..13 Priority Groups ..21 Focus Areas ..25 How we will do it ..35 Appendices ..43 Appendix A: Roles and responsibilities ..45 Appendix B: Glossary ..48 Appendix C: National strategies and state and territory initiatives ..52 Appendix D: Summary of consultations ..55 Appendix E: Key elements underpinning the National Framework ..58iiiiiiivAcknowledgmentsWe pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Elders past and present. We acknowledge they have cared for this country since its creation.

3 We respect their unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas on which we live and work. We acknowledge their rich contribution to society and commit ourselves to building a brighter future for Australia s children governments acknowledge the significant contribution of everyone involved in the development of Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia s children 2021 2031 (the National Framework ). This includes SNAICC National Voice for our children (SNAICC), the National peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children ; the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group; Families Australia; the non-government sector and academia, particularly those who are part of the National Forum for Protecting Australia s importantly, we acknowledge those who have experienced child abuse and neglect.

4 We acknowledge that your lived experience and knowledge are critical to the development of actions under this National Framework . Your insights have helped and continue to help create a future where children and young people can grow up safe and supported in Australia. 11 Foreword Protecting Australia s children is everyone s and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia s children 2021 2031 was developed by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and the non-government sector. The use of the word we represents our continuing shared commitment to support children , young people and families. The best interests of the child are at the centre of the National Framework and the subsequent Action Plans.

5 We are committed to ongoing meaningful engagement with children , young people, parents, carers and communities. Listening to the voices of children will be key to our Australians need to work together to keep children safe and to achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable children and those experiencing disadvantage. This includes all jurisdictions working together in areas such as disability, early childhood education and care, health and mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention, domestic and family violence, justice, housing and recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the right to self-determination. Recognising and building on the strengths and leadership of the community-controlled sector is vital to achieving this goal.

6 The National Framework has been developed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, marking a fundamental shift in the way governments are working to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are leading the decisions that impact their lives. The National Framework embeds the 4 Priority Reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (Closing the Gap) to transform how governments work to accelerate want all children , young people, families and communities in Australia to be safe and resilient and to have the opportunity to thrive. children and young people in Australia have the right to grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture. They have the right to grow up in an environment that enables them to reach their full shared vision is that children and young people in Australia have the right to grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture.

7 They have the right to grow up in an environment that enables them to reach their full shared goal is to make significant and sustained progress in reducing the rate of child abuse and neglect and its intergenerational impacts. Endorsed by: Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services, Minister for Women s Safety The Hon Michelle Landry MP, Assistant Minister for children and Families, Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, Australian Capital Territory Minister for Families and Community Services The Hon Alister Henskens MP, New South Wales Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services The Hon Kate Worden MLA, Northern Territory Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing The Hon Leanne Linard MP, Queensland Minister for children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs The Hon Rachel Sanderson MP, South Australia Minister for Child Protection The Hon Sarah Courtney MP.

8 Tasmania Minister for children and Youth, Minister for Disability Services The Hon Richard Wynne MP, Victoria Minister for Child Protection The Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Western Australia Minister for Child Protection; Women s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services3 Seeking supportCrisis and suicide preventionIf you or someone else is in immediate danger call Triple Zero (000)Lifeline13 11 14 Please refer to state and territory-specific child safety websites if you have a child protection health support and adviceKids Helpline1800 551 650 890 Blue1300 22 4636 MensLine Australia1300 78 99 78 to If you speak a language other than English and need help understanding this document, you can contact the free Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

9 If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, the Nation Relay Service (NRS) can help you. Please contact the NRS Helpdesk on 1800 555 and family violence support1800 Respect1800 737 732 sexual abuse support and adviceBravehearts Support Line1800 272 831 and contact details for support services for parents and carers are below:New South Wales: Parentline NSW 1300 130 052 Capital Territory: Parentline ACT (02) 6287 3833 Territory: FACES Family Support Line 1800 999 900 : Parentline Queensland and Northern Territory 1300 301 300 Australia: Parent Helpline South Australia1300 364 100 : Parentline Tasmania 1300 808 178 Victoria: Parentline Victoria 132 289 Australia: Ngala Helpline (08) 9368 9368 (metropolitan) or 1800 111 546 (regional callers) and young people in Australia have the right to grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture.

10 They have the right to grow up in an environment that enables them to reach their full and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia s children 2021 2031 is Australia s Framework to reduce child abuse and neglect and its intergenerational impacts. It builds on the National Framework for Protecting Australia s children 2009 2020, which laid the critical foundation for National collaboration on Protecting Australia s children . It will drive change through collective effort across governments and sectors that impact the safety and wellbeing of children and young National Framework sets out our 10-year strategy to improve the lives of children , young people and families experiencing disadvantage or who are vulnerable to abuse and neglect. It includes an agreed vision and goal, priority groups, focus areas and underpinning principles.