Guardian Shona Reid has just kicked off her regional visits, touching down in Ceduna yesterday afternoon. Growing up in the mid-north of South Australia, Shona is very keen to connect with, and hear, from children and young people in regional areas.
Joined by an advocate, Shona will travel around the state over the coming months, meeting with children and young people and listening to what is important to them and their experiences in care, as well as talking to local organisations, case workers and carers.
Regional visits are a great opportunity to share the work of the Guardian, her office and promote our advocacy role, the Charter of Rights and our newly created Nunga Oog – just to name a few! Shona will also visit residential care houses as part of the new Child and Young Person’s Visitor program to hear from the young people and what matters most to them.
“I am so excited to be out on the road. Hearing directly from children and young people who are living and growing up within the child protection system. Having grown up in country towns most of my childhood, the community played a big role in creating my safe place and sense of belonging. I look forward to seeing how regional towns, small and large, do this for children and young people in care,” Shona said.
“For me to show up for children and young people, in particularly in the state’s more remote and rural locations, hopefully sends a strong message that we are here for them, and that I am here for them. That no matter where you are, my job is the same – to advocate for children and young people in care and hold to account those responsible for that care.”
Visits to local police cells that temporarily hold children and young people will also be on the agenda as Shona dons her Training Centre Visitor hat and meets with local police officers and youth justice case managers to better understand their interactions with children in their region.
Shona will be available to speak at forums, meetings or other events within the regions during her visits. If you are interested in organising a time for Shona to meet with your organisation, speak at an event or meet with the children and young people in your care then please get in touch with us at gcyp@gcyp.sa.gov.au.
Upcoming roadshow dates:
- Whyalla 21 June
- Port Augusta 22 June
- Berri – 25 July
- Port Lincoln – 1-2 August
- Murray Bridge – 22 August
- Coober Pedy – 18-20 September
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