The ACT Government today released the first Action Plan to implement Next Steps for our Kids 2022-2030, the ACT’s strategy to strengthen families and keep children and young people safe.
“Next Steps is a key part of the ACT Government’s ambitious plan to reform child, youth and family services,” Rachel Stephen-Smith, Minister for Families and Community Services, said.
“Next Steps is shifting the focus of our child and youth protection system to earlier, more accessible support services for families when they need them most.
“Since June 2022, we have worked with community organisations, people with lived experience, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Co-Design Network, the Our Booris, Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee, and key government and community stakeholders to produce the first Action Plan.”
The first Action Plan outlines the reform work already underway and the priority actions for the next three years.
It integrates earlier family support, prevention, child protection, out of home care, and youth justice, and seeks to strengthen families who interact with these services.
“Services and support will be premised on greater family-led decision-making and restorative, trauma-informed practices,” Ms Stephen Smith said.
“This Action Plan will be a living document to ensure we can respond to changing internal and external environments, emerging issues, evolving evidence and contemporary practice.
“This is evidence-based reform, underpinned by strong sector partnerships to improve the quality of services and help people have a greater say over the services they use and who provides them.
“The Action Plan reinforces the community’s shared responsibility to keep children, young people and families safe, and our commitment to ensuring service systems are effective and contribute to better outcomes.”
Children and Young People Amendment Bill
The Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2023 passed the Legislative Assembly today. Introduced in August, it will enable the ACT’s child protection system to provide better and earlier support to families at risk, and fully embed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle into legislation, implementing a key recommendation of the Our Booris, Our Way review.
The Bill also changes the functions and responsibilities of the Children and Young People Death Review Committee, expanding its scope to include the 18 to 24 year age group and review of serious injuries.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the amendments reflect the Government’s commitment to addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child and youth protection system.
“These changes support the delivery of Our Booris, Our Way recommendations, including taking the first steps to fully embed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in legislation,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“There have also been significant advances in child and youth protection research and practice since the Children and Young People Act 2008 was introduced.
“Modernising the Act is aimed at simplifying processes, providing greater clarity, and ensuring families can receive earlier supports when they are experiencing challenges.
“This legislative change is part of an ongoing process to ensure best practice and the delivery of high-quality services to our community under Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030.”
A second round of changes to the Children and Young People Act 2008 is expected to be introduced into the Assembly in 2024 to complete legislative reforms to modernise the Act.
“The amendments that passed today set the stage for the Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2024,and are a result of extensive community consultation over many months,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“I thank everyone who has shared their expertise and experience and look forward to continuing to work with them to improve our systems for supporting families and keeping children and young people safe, strong and connected.”
