South Australians are encouraged to recognise the extraordinary individuals and teams who are keeping young people safe, cared for and supported to reach their potential at the 2026 SA Child Protection and Family Support Awards.
The awards honour the dedication and impact of child protection champions across our communities.
Nominations for the awards are now open across 10 categories, celebrating the carers, volunteers, not-for-profit and public sector staff, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and many more who are making a difference when it matters most.
Recipients of the 2025 awards included a hospital program supporting children in care, police officers going above and beyond and longtime foster carers who dedicated their lives to helping children return safely to their family.
The awards are presented by the Department for Child Protection in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). The 2026 awards gold sponsor is Lutheran Care.
Nominations close on Friday 31 July.
Finalists will be announced during National Child Protection Week in September, with the awards ceremony to take place at Adelaide Oval on Friday 9 October.
To find out more about the awards or to submit a nomination, visit www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/awards.
The full list of categories are:
- Active Efforts Award: Recognises an individual or organisation that has demonstrated excellence through active efforts to implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.
- Minister for Child Protection Lifetime Achievement Award: Honours an individual whose long standing dedication and commitment has made a lasting impact on child protection and family support over 15 years or more.
- Positive Impact Award: Recognises an individual or team whose service has had a meaningful and positive impact on children or young people in care, or with a care experience.
- Regional Impact Award: Recognises outstanding service by an individual or team supporting children and young people in rural or remote communities.
- Voice of Child Award: Recognises an individual or organisation championing the voices of children and young people in care in decision making.
- Young Achiever Award: Recognises the achievement of a child or young person with a care experience, up to 25 years.
- Thriving Sector Award: Recognises innovation that grows sector knowledge, capability and collaboration to improve outcomes for children and families.
- South Australian Foster Carer of the Year: Celebrates an approved foster, specific-child only and permanent carer, who has made a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in care.
- South Australian Kinship Carer of the Year: Celebrates an approved kinship carer, who has made a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in care.
- Volunteer of the Year: Recognises the outstanding dedication and community service of a volunteer supporting children and young people in care.
As put by Alice Rolls MP
The South Australian Child Protection and Family Support Awards are a powerful opportunity to shine a light on the people and organisations who go above and beyond to keep children safe and support families across our state.
These awards celebrate a wide range of contributions – from the achievements of children and young people to outstanding carers and volunteers, and the incredible work being done by government agencies, non-government organisations, and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
If you know someone making a real difference, this is your chance to recognise them.
As put by NAPCAN Chief Executive Leesa Waters
NAPCAN is proud to support the South Australian Child Protection & Family Support Awards, recognising the dedication, leadership and everyday efforts that help keep children safe and families strong.
Celebrating leadership, care and innovation across the sector reflects our shared commitment to prevention, early support and communities where children can thrive.
We look forward to attending the ceremony and honouring the outstanding contributions being made across South Australia.
As put by Lutheran Care Chief Executive Ian Byrne
Lutheran Care is proud to be the Gold Sponsor of the 2026 Child Protection and Family Support Awards and to support the Positive Impact Award, which recognises individuals and teams making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people in care.
It takes a village to support children and young people in care, and foster carers are at the heart of that. These Awards are an important opportunity to acknowledge the difference they make every day.
Everyday moments help children feel safe, loved, and connected, where a little of your world can make a big difference in theirs. We're honoured to recognise that.
As put by 2025 Foster Carers of the Year Judy and Tony McKenzie
It was lovely to be acknowledged and win the award but we accepted it on behalf of every foster and kinship carer in SA. They all do a remarkable job.
We are reunification carers and it is so rewarding being a part of the team that assists children returning to their families. We are very passionate about parent inclusion and helping maintain important connections.
The families we have supported in reunification often keep in contact and share updates about their lives and things that are important to them. It is just wonderful to be a small part in their lives this way.
