JANUARY 31, 2019
ACWA Welcomes New National Child Protection Plan
The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) has welcomed the release this week of the Fourth Action Plan (2018-2020) under the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020.
Acting CEO Dr Wendy Foote said the NSW peak strongly supports the focus of the Fourth Action Plan on collectively tackling the unacceptable rate of child abuse and neglect in Australia.
Only last week, figures released by the Productivity Commission showed more than 45,000 children were in out-of-home care nationally, almost 18,000 of whom were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
"ACWA particularly applauds the emphasis in the Fourth Action Plan on improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children," Dr Foote said.
"The over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system is an appalling national issue that requires an urgent, strong and combined response."
The three other areas of work to be undertaken over the next three years under the Fourth Action Plan include: improving prevention and early intervention services to keep children safe and help vulnerable families avoid coming into contact with the child protection system, enhancing placement stability for children and young people in care, and boosting the ability of organisations to keep children and young people safe from abuse and neglect.
The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies is the NSW peak body representing
non-government organisations that provide services to vulnerable children, young people and their families.
