Before we wrap up our year, here’s what we’ve been working on and what’s ahead.
Recently Completed
| Our work | What is this about? | What are our key advocacy points? |
| Submission on Identity protections for proceedings involving children | NSW Parliament is examining whether current laws properly protect the identities of children involved in court cases and if changes are needed. | Protections should keep pace with today’s risks, including online safety and long-term stability |
| Joint submission by ACWA and Fams to DSS discussion paper: A new approach to programs for families and children | The Federal Government has been consulting on plans to combine five family support programs into one national program. | We welcome reforms that make the system simpler and focused on the best outcomes for children and families. But timing, best practice and strong relationships must guide the changes. |
Things We’re Working On
| Our work | What is this about? | What are our key advocacy points? |
| Submission on the Inquiry into Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system | The Federal Senate is examining how Australia’s youth justice system works, including the impacts of detention and whether national standards and human rights obligations are being met. | Current approaches aren’t delivering. Government action needs to focus on early intervention and prevention. |
| The Office of the Children’s Guardian Review of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 | The OCG is reviewing the Working with Children Check laws to make sure they still protect kids and reflect what communities need. | We’ll be connecting with our Child Safe Standards working group to develop our advocacy around this. Watch this space. |
| Submission on Government service delivery standards in regional NSW | Parliament is looking at how government services are measured, monitored and delivered in regional NSW, and whether standards need to improve. | We’re connecting with services in Moree, Narrabri, Inverell and our networks on this body of work. Keep an eye out for more to come or if you’re based in the Far West, reach out! We’d love to connect with you. |
Ongoing Advocacy
| Our work | What is this about? | What are our key advocacy points? |
| CAFS & Family Preservation Recommissioning | With the new CAFS program starting 1 Jan 26 and with Family Preservation recommissioning continuing, we’ll keep advocating for our sector. | Our focus is on fair and transparent processes. We’re also advocating to make sure there are smooth transitions for children, families and services. |
| Campaign Partnerships | There are 4 key campaigns we partner with: Fair Treatment, End Child Poverty, Put Pokies in Their Place and Raise the Age NSW. | Our advocacy is grounded in social justice. We recognise that child protection cannot be separated from the broader systems and challenges that families face. |
If you’d like to get involved or share your insights on any of Fams’ advocacy work, email Daniel at [email protected].
