The National Children’s Commissioner has shared the voices of children, young people and families in a report on safety and wellbeing.
Children, young people and families told the National Children’s Commissioner the top three things children need to be safe are:
- help with housing
- mental health services
- help with basic needs, like food, clothing, transport, and school supplies
Survey respondents also said they wanted governments and service providers to listen to them when making decisions that affect them.
The report presents key issues, identifies priorities, and makes recommendations for action, to inform the government’s five-year actions plans under the Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031 (the National Framework).
The National Framework has four priority groups:
- Children and families with multiple and complex needs
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people experiencing disadvantage or who are vulnerable
- Children and young people and/or parents/ carers with disability experiencing disadvantage or who are vulnerable
- Children and young people who have experienced abuse and/or neglect including children in out-of-home care, and young people leaving out-of-home care and transitioning to adulthood
The National Framework seeks to improve outcomes for these groups through actions in four focus areas:
- A national approach to early intervention and targeted support for children and families experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage
- Addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems
- Improving information sharing, data development and analysis
- Strengthening the child and family sector and workforce capability.
Children, young people, and families told the National Children’s Commissioner about what they need to be safe and well, and what makes it hard to get help when they need it.
Many children and families said it can be hard to find the help they need, and sometimes the right help isn’t there for them. They emphasised the value of more coordinated ‘wraparound’ services and service providers whom they can trust.
You can download the complete report below.
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