The Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS) commends the NSW Government for releasing the Forecasting Future Outcomes report.
The report, which was released today, explores the significant government costs in addressing the needs of our most vulnerable children. It also highlights the array of adverse outcomes that they are likely to face throughout their lives.
Most notably, Forecasting Future Outcomes demonstrates the need for a more targeted, data-driven approach to child protection and a greater investment in early intervention programs. The report projects that 45% of child protection costs will be spent addressing the needs of only 1% of the cohort studied for the report.
The full report is available at www.theirfuturesmatter.nsw.gov.au.
CAPS CEO, Tracy McLeod Howe, said that "We strongly support the use of data and evidence to guide investment towards programs that address the root causes of child abuse. We look forward to working with both the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services and Their Futures Matter to ensure that government funding is directed to the programs that can do the most good for the most vulnerable".
Examining how all areas of society need to work together to protect our children will be just one of the key topics to be discussed at the CAPS Safe Children Conference in Sydney on 22 October 2019. The annual event provides the platform for the national conversation on child protection matters, ensuring that the issue receives the attention it deserves long after the conclusion of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
About CAPS
Established in 1973, the Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS) is the oldest child abuse prevention organisation in Australia. We are a non-government, non-religious charitable organisation that works with vulnerable children and people across Australia to prevent child maltreatment in all its forms, including emotional, physical and sexual abuse. We provide evidence-based educational programs that build well-being, emotional resiliency and create the strong family environments needed to ensure that children are safe, supported, and loved. Our staff are experienced educational psychologists that are well-equipped to deliver programs designed to increase protective behaviours in children and forever break the cycle of abuse.
