Hundreds of child safety practitioners came together for the 2025 WA Signs of Safety Gathering, from 19 to 21 November at the Novotel Perth Langley.
This opportunity to share knowledge, exchange perspectives and celebrate innovation was embraced by child safety practitioners from the Department of Communities as well as sector stakeholders.
Representatives from each of Communities’ 17 districts joined interstate and international guests to provide inspiring presentations centred on the 2025 Gathering theme of Safer, Stronger, Children and Families.
British Columbia delegates Colleen Lucier and Caara Goddard demonstrated how they’ve kept child protection work grounded in the ‘why’ to bring purpose, connection and culture to their work with the Métis people.
While presentations were also provided by CREATE Foundation’s lived experience consultants, child safety practitioners from the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory and Kay Whyte Bell, from Elia – The Home of International Signs of Safety.
District teams shared insights about their work with children and families, some heart-wrenching, but all with a common theme of ensuring that culture and the voices of children and families were the focus of their practice.
The three-day conference was also supported by Communities’ Learning and Development team, Education Officer and Community Carers programs, and sector partners CREATE Foundation, Yorgum and the Family Inclusion Network of WA.
The 2025 WA Signs of Safety Gathering enabled Communities’ Child Protection and Family Support teams to learn and maintain curiosity and energy to continue the vital work of keeping children safe and families strong.
The WA Signs of Safety Child Protection Practice Framework guides child safety practitioners on ways of working that are strengths based, solutions focused, Family and Domestic Violence informed and trauma-informed.
You can view the Framework, which is currently being updated, on our WA Signs of Safety Child Protection Practice Framework webpage.
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