- Cook Labor Government launches third edition of WA Signs of Safety Child Protection Practice Framework
- Aligns with legislative reform, strengthens cultural responsiveness and provides clearer guidance for child safety practitioners
- Demonstrates Cook Labor Government's commitment to promoting the wellbeing of children and young people as part of priority to build safe and inclusive communities
Minister for Child Protection Jessica Stojkovski has unveiled the third edition of the State's foremost child protection practice framework, reaffirming the Cook Labor Government's commitment to continuous improvement and promoting the wellbeing of all children and young people in Western Australia.
The revised WA Signs of Safety Child Protection Practice Framework supports child safety practitioners to strengthen culturally responsive, Family and Domestic Violence aligned, trauma-informed, accessible and inclusive child protection practice.
Revisions to the Framework have been informed by people with lived experience of the child protection system, sector stakeholders and child safety practitioners from across the State and include:
- a strengthened focus on cultural responsiveness, with clear commitments to working with Aboriginal families and a new Signs of Safety Principle: Culture at the Heart, and new Signs of Safety Discipline: Culture guides practice at every step;
- increased emphasis on the importance of the child's voice and on continuing to learn from people with lived experience; and
- contemporary practice and decision-making guidance for practitioners, aligned to international research, legislative reform, targets and actions in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021 - 2031.
The revised Framework was launched at a sector event in Perth, attended by up to 70 representatives from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Earlier Intervention and Family Support services, Out-of-Home Care providers, and other key stakeholders and child safety practitioners involved in the Framework's development and implementation.
The Framework has been the core child protection framework in Western Australia for the past 18 years and continues to evolve through collaboration with people with lived experience and the sector.
Read the third edition at WA Signs of Safety Child Protection Practice Framework .
As stated by Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
"I am delighted to be launching the third edition of Western Australia's Signs of Safety Child Protection Practice Framework, bringing our State's core child protection framework in line with contemporary practices, research and strengthening cultural responsive and inclusive practice.
"The launch of the revised Framework represents a tremendous step forward for the child protection sector, one which has been informed by years of broad consultation with subject matter experts, partner agencies, people with lived experience and practitioners across WA.
"In particular, the addition of the new principle, 'Culture at the heart', has been built upon decades of child protection practice and consultation with Aboriginal families and communities.
"I thank those that have worked to bring this revised Framework to fruition, together we will continue the Cook Labor Government's commitment to build safer and more inclusive communities for children and young people across Western Australia."
