Children and Young People (Safety) Bill

“YACSA fully supports and advocates for a child protection system in South Australia that has the best interests of children and young people as its foundation. However, YACSA is concerned that this Bill seems to be tinkering around the edges of the current system rather than seeking to deliver the wholesale “fresh start” that we were promised as part of the government’s response to the Nyland report.”

“YACSA recognises that the Children and Young People (Safety) Bill 2016 is just one piece in a suite of new legislation intended to underpin the new child protection system. However, after reviewing this Bill we caution that unless policy, regulations and service and program funding - prevention and early intervention services in particular - align with the legislation, it is unlikely to inspire the changes required to deliver better outcomes for children and young people who have experienced harm or are at risk of experiencing harm.”