Young people leaving care will have more support until they turn 21; child protection decisions will be open to external review; and charters will be embedded in legislation under changes to the Children and Young People Act 2008 introduced in the Legislative Assembly today, the ACT Government announced.

The Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2024 (No. 2) represents the second tranche of the Government’s multi-stage reform to the Children and Young People Act 2008.

It extends support for young people who are transitioning from statutory out of home care to the age of 21; establishes an external merits review process for child protection decisions through the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal; and enables the Director-General to make charters as notifiable instruments, such as last year’s Charter for Parents and Families involved with ACT child protection services.

Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Children, Youth and Family Services, said: “This second set of amendments delivers on commitments we took to the 2020 Election and represents another step forward for children, young people, and their families and carers in the ACT.

“This Bill builds on the first stage of legislative reform last year, as well as significant investments into the child protection and family support systems through successive Budgets.

“A lot of people have shared their time, expertise, and personal experiences to inform this Bill. 

“I thank all of those people, and can assure them we have heard their feedback that further work is needed to ensure our shared ambition to build a more restorative and responsive child and youth protection system can be given effect through legislation without unintended consequences.

“This work will continue in partnership with children, young people, families, carers, our workforce and non-government partners, oversight agencies, and experts.”