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Over the last few weeks The Guardian, Shona Reid, has been busy amplifying the voices and experiences of children young people in care and youth detention across the country at conferences, meetings and in the media.
You can read more about what Shona’s been up to below.

In her most recent submission, South Australia’s Guardian for Children and Young People, Shona Reid outlines the reality of youth detention in South Australia and calls for real and meaningful change.

Yesterday, November 12, was National Survivors’ Day – a day dedicated to recognising and honouring survivors of trauma and adversity.
This blog explores the unique challenges faced by children and young people impacted by various forms of abuse and outlines the crucial role of individuals and communities, to nurture their resilience and healing.

At The Guardian’s Office, we are thrilled about the launch of Wakwakurna Kanyini, the new peak body for Aboriginal Children and Families!
Earlier this year, Ashum Owen was appointed as the inaugural CEO of Wakwakurna Kanyini. We caught up with Ashum recently, to talk about her vision for the peak body and how it can uphold the rights of Aboriginal children and young people throughout South Australia to ensure they grow up strong, connected to family, culture and Country.

Yesterday, The Guardian for Children and Young People’s 2023-24 Annual Report was tabled in Parliament – and we’re excited to now share that report!
The report takes a deep dive into the world of the OGCYP – travelling through the four statutory mandates that Shona Reid holds as Guardian for Children and Young People, Training Centre Visitor, Child and Young Person’s Visitor and Youth Treatment Orders Visitor.

The Guardian function was established on 3rd June 2004 and has been in operation since this time – with various other roles added along the way.
After 20 years of operation, this role is deeply embedded in the out-of- home care and youth detention sectors. It has a big part to play in observing, interrupting and advancing systems practices, along with amplifying and representing the voices of children and young people in these systems.
With many years of learnings and commentary, the current Guardian, Shona Reid, has now developed on Oversight Framework that brings about greater accountability, transparency, and consistency in the care provided to children and young people across the out-of-home care and youth detention systems.

We are right in the midst of Anti-Poverty Week – which commenced on 13 October and will run until 19 October. To commemorate Anti-Poverty Week, the Guardian, alongside other Commissioners, Guardians and Advocates from across Australia, calls on state and federal governments to end child poverty.

Those who have been following the rollout of the South Australian Social Workers Registration Scheme may have picked up – or participated in – the recent consultation on the ‘Scope of Practice’ and definition of Social Work Services.

The Guardian, Shona Reid, has been following this topic closely and provided a comprehensive submission to the SWRB. While acknowledging the Scheme’s intent (and potential) to improve social work professional services, The Guardian’s submission raised some serious issues with the broad scope put forward by the SWRB

The Guardian for Children and Young People, Shona Reid, has today released her feedback on government’s proposed changes to child protection legislation here in South Australia, the draft Children & Young People (Safety and Support) Bill 2024.

Over the last year Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system has certainly had its fair share of media time, with a nationwide narrative of youth crime, offending and tragedy in detention settings
This week, there was an announcement of a national inquiry into this system – what could be an important opportunity to elevate the voices of young people in detention, and to advocate for their rights and best interests.