Last month, Guardian for Children and Young People, Shona Reid announced that she was ending her four-year tenure and taking up the role of Chief Executive of Aboriginal Family Support Services.
While it’s sad to see Ms Reid go, she leaves the Office in a strong position to continue its important work advocating for the rights of children and young people in care and youth detention.
Ms Reid was recognised in the sector as being a fearless advocate.
Under her leadership, the Office reshaped the way independent oversight is undertaken in South Australia.
She brought a stronger focus on proactive monitoring, regular engagement with children and young people, evidence-informed inquiries, inspections and transparent reporting to Parliament.
Throughout her tenure, Ms Reid oversaw a significant expansion in systemic advocacy, including major inquiries, special reports, inspections, legislative submissions and policy reform across child protection, youth justice and children’s rights.
The Office’s work has increasingly informed public policy discussions both nationally and internationally.
Ms Reid will be sincerely missed by her staff and the children and young people that she supported.
I will be Acting Guardian until a new Guardian is formally appointed through a recruitment process.
I am honoured to take on this role and appreciate the trust that has been placed in me during this period.
During this transition, it will be business as usual with a continued to focus on ensuring the voices of children and young people we work with are heard and amplified.
We have a few major pieces of work to be released, including an Inquiry into Supported Independent Living Services for children in care and a Special Report into the experiences of children and young people in kinship care.
We have also completed a review of the Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in care following consultation with young people with lived experience.
These reports are due to be tabled in parliament next month and we will share our learning with you via our newsletter and on social media.
