Child Protection Department

Mrs POWER (Elder) (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. Can the minister update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is working with the commonwealth to deliver additional services so children in care are able to be safely reunified with their families?

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection) (14:55): I thank the member for Elder for her question and her interest in children and young people. I am pleased to inform the house about the exciting new developments the Marshall Liberal government, in conjunction with the commonwealth government, is delivering in family reunification.

Earlier this year, we announced the Marshall Liberal government's commitment of $15.05 million to the Newpin reunification program to support hundreds of families across metropolitan Adelaide to reunify with their children in our care system when it is appropriate and safe to do so. The federal government's contribution of $3.15 million will bring the total contribution to $18.2 million. This is another major step towards improving social outcomes for families and children in South Australia.

The funding arrangements of the Newpin reunification program will be delivered through social impact bonds, which I have strongly advocated for for many years. This innovative funding arrangement develops joint partnerships between government, non-government sectors and investors to achieve better social outcomes for families. Newpin will encourage families to engage in activities that promote family wellbeing, repair relationships and develop parenting capacity for families and children who are vulnerable.

It is important that where it is safe to do so, we support children and families to reunify because children who are able to live with their families in a loving and safe environment will always have better outcomes in life. Children who are loved, nurtured and supported will have better health, better education and achieve better long-term life outcomes, such as employment.

The Newpin program will be delivered by Uniting Communities and is an evidence-based intensive, therapeutic centre-based program that provides early intervention and prevention services. We are doing a great deal of work in this area and working across government to support our most vulnerable children, young people and their families. We are ensuring that we provide support by using evidence-based research and practice that has proven results both interstate and overseas to prioritise those families who need help the most.

Newpin is one of a series of new programs that the Marshall Liberal government has invested in to help our most vulnerable families who have at least one child who is below school age and is in care. Three Newpin centres will open in metropolitan Adelaide: one in the north, one in the north-west and one in the southern suburbs. The first centre is scheduled to open in the northern suburbs in July.

Another social impact bond initiative that we are working on with the commonwealth government is the resilient families program due later this year. This is an $11.3 million program to be delivered by the Benevolent Society and will work closely with families to support up to 300 children over the next five years. This early intervention program is to prevent children entering the child protection system.

I am looking forward to seeing the positive results, reconnection and improved outcomes these will give hundreds of South Australian families. This exciting announcement is just one way the Marshall Liberal government is delivering on our commitment to child protection and supporting families.