This is a story of how our vulnerable young people caught up in child protection and youth justice systems need our love, care and support. They need to be listened to, have a say in decisions that affect them and know that we believe in them.
Concerned about the ongoing deaths of people while detained, Shona Reid, along with other members of the Australian National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) Network, wrote a joint submission to the United Nations urging them to consider the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Findings from a landmark study into the maltreatment of children could help transform how we understand child maltreatment and the services that are needed to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
Last week, we had the privilege to take part in Closing the Gap Day, presented by Sonder and Nunkuwarrin Yunti on Kaurna Country.
The first action plan under the new Safe and Supported framework designed to make sure that children grow up safe and connected to their family, community and culture has just been launched.
Today’s the day. You probably will have seen and heard considerable media coverage about OPCAT supposedly going live in Australia today. Unfortunately, the ongoing tug of war between the Commonwealth and State/Territory governments about funding means our office is unable to implement the new functions.
It has been a big year and at the Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People we are humbled to be listeners and advocates to the many children and young people who reach out and connect throughout the year.
I still consider myself a newbie to the roles of Guardian, Child and Young Person’s Visitor and Training Centre Visitor, with four months having passed since I began. All I can say, four months in: I am worried… and you should be too.
A new report sharing the lived experiences of young people who have transitioned from child protection and the youth justice systems has found that young people are having to leave systems without adequate preparation for life.
With 8 weeks left before independent OPCAT oversight aimed at preventing abuse or mistreatment in places like youth detention centres and police cells is set to come into force, Australian governments are still not ready.
We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal People as the traditional owners
and custodians of the land we live and work on, their living culture and their unique role in the life of South Australia.