A whole-of-government and community approach is critical to addressing the key drivers that contribute to children having contact with the child protection system.
Safe and Supported sets out a 10-year framework for how Australian, state and territory governments, Aboriginal leaders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and the non-government sector will work together to support children and young people in Australia to reach their full potential and grow up safe and connected in their family, community and culture, free from harm and neglect.
Safe and Supported is for all Australian children and young people, and identifies four priority groups:
- Children and families with multiple and complex needs
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experiencing disadvantage or who are vulnerable
- Children and young people and/or parents/carers with disability experiencing disadvantage or who are vulnerable
- Children and young people who have experienced abuse and/or neglect, including children in out-of-home care and young people leaving out-of-home care and transitioning to adulthood
The first five-year action plans under Safe and Supported outline measurable actions to support improved outcomes for children and families at risk.
Aboriginal children and families have disproportionate contact with the child protection system, which negatively impacts their wellbeing and the wellbeing of kin and community. Reflecting the voices of Aboriginal children and their families is central to the development of Western Australia’s responses to Safe and Supported and towards eliminating the gap in life outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
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