Child Protection

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. How is the government supporting families in contact with the child protection and family support system?

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:47): I thank the member for her question and for her great interest in this really important area of government policy, which is fundamentally focused on improving the lives of children and their families.

I and our entire government are deeply committed to doing all we possibly can to help support families and to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Keeping children and young people connected, loved, nurtured and safe with their family and community gives them the best chance, the best foundation to thrive and to succeed.

Family group conferencing is one of the key supports that we are offering to families. Family group conferencing is a voluntary process led by families, for families. It provides an opportunity for extended family members to come together with structured support to make decisions in the best interests of their child or young person. A conference is arranged if a child or young person comes into contact with the child protection and family support system, if we assess that they may be at risk, and if their parents and broader family are willing to work with the department to address the issues identified through working together.

I am incredibly proud that our government has provided additional funding of $13.4 million for this crucial work, with a particular focus on expanding family group conferences to a greater number of Aboriginal families. In 2023, we saw over 264 conferences held, which involved 482 children, almost twice the number held in 2022. This includes 134 family group conferences for Aboriginal families, involving 259 children, up 59 per cent on the previous year.

Of these conferences held in 2023, 90 per cent of families continued to care for their children safely following their conference. This means more families safely staying together with the supports they need to thrive. This is made possible because of our unprecedented investment in this initiative, and in the child protection and family support system overall, of $372 million.

We know that Aboriginal children and young people are over-represented across the child protection and family support system. Family group conferences play a critical role in recognising the protective factors that connection to culture, family and community provides and give families the lead role in finding solutions to keep their children safe, loved and nurtured with kin. This model is culturally inclusive and has a strong focus on enabling Aboriginal family and broader community members to identify strategies that work for their kids.

Thank you so much to our partners in this area, Relationships Australia and Aboriginal Family Support Services. They both play a really important role in facilitating these conferences, working closely with and empowering participants to develop plans and supports and to strengthen family groups.

I am really proud of the positive impact family group conferences are having for families across the state, with families empowered to make decisions in the best interests of their children. The success rate over the past two years shows family group conferences are building momentum and providing a really important support for families to safely stay together as a result of our unprecedented investment.