PeakCare encourages all eNews readers to read and consider the consultation paper released by the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, concerning the next stage of reforms to the Child Protection Act 1999. Proposed options for legislative change are detailed over three focus areas: reinforcing children’s rights in the legislation; strengthening children’s voices in decisions that affect them; and reshaping the regulation of care – the system for approving foster and kinship carers and licensing care service providers. The review is part of the decade-long reform agenda arising from the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry, as well as the recommendations of the Queensland Family and Child Commission’s Foster Care Review report, and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Comment is welcomed via written submissions or in response to the online survey, especially from children and young people with care experience, as well as their families, carers, service providers and staff. Public submissions close Friday, 6th September.
