7 September 2025
Marking National Child Protection Week 2025 (7 -13 September) with the theme "Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action", the Finocchiaro CLP Government is taking action to ensure the protection of children.
Minister for Children and Families Robyn Cahill said the g overnment has committed a record investment in child protection services, including $20.9 million in 2025-26 for child protection and $138 million for out-of-home care. An additional $2.4 million is being directed to non-government organisations to help find, assess, train and support foster and kinship carers.
"Every conversation matters, but real change comes from action. Our record investment is a clear demonstration that the care and protection of children is an absolute priority for the CLP Government.
"This funding ensures vulnerable children are supported and, where possible, safely reunited with their family," said Ms Cahill.
In the Northern Territory, around 880 children and young people currently living in out-of-home care, with approximately 380 placed with kinship or foster carers.
Ms Cahill said carers played a vital role when it is not safe for children to remain at home.
"Our foster and kinship carers are extraordinary Territorians who provide love and stability when it's needed most. We are deeply grateful for their dedication.
"As part of our year of action, certainty and security, we are calling for more Territorians to take on this challenge to care for Territory children with more carers urgently needed.
"Carers come from all walks of life; what matters most is the ability to provide a safe and caring environment for a child."
Ms Cahill said the CLP Government was also focused on prevention and early intervention to stop abuse before it happens.
"Programs like our Circuit Breaker Program are making a difference by engaging with young people and their families early, before problems escalate and require a statutory response. It is helping kids stay on the right track."
The CLP Government's School Attendance Officers also engage with students and families to identify issues and get kids back to school.
Ms Cahill said National Child Protection Week was a reminder that protecting children is everyone's responsibility and is not the sole job of government and child protection workers.
Every Territorian has a role to play including:
helping families in need by offering practical support and helping to link them to community-based services to meet their needsbecoming a foster or kinship carersupporting carers in your communitychecking in on neighbours, friends or family if something doesn't seem rightreport concerns if you believe a child is being, or has been, harmed or abused by calling the 24/7 Child Protection Hotline on 1800 700 250.
