Child protection

Safe and Supported will improve outcomes through actions in 4 Focus Areas.

1. National approach to early intervention and targeted support for children and families experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage.
2. Addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems.
3. Improving information sharing, data development and analysis.
4. Strengthening the child and family sector and workforce capability.

Safe and Supported targets these priority groups:

• children and families with multiple and complex needs
• disadvantaged or vulnerable First Nations children and young people
• disadvantaged or vulnerable children and young people with disability
• parents/carers of disadvantaged or vulnerable children and young people with disability
• children and young people who have experienced abuse and/or neglect
• children in out-of-home care
• young people leaving out-of-home care and transitioning to adulthood.

The guiding principles for Safe and Supported are:

• access to quality universal and targeted services designed to improve outcomes for children, young people and families
• having clear responsibilities and strong monitoring, evaluation and achievement of outcomes 
• having excellence in practice and policy development, based on evidence, data and information sharing
• being trauma-informed, culturally safe, and inclusive in terms of policies and actions
• listening and responding to the voices and views of children and young people, and the views of those who care for them
• embedding the 5 elements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle — Prevention, Partnership, Placement, Participation and Connection.