Acwa Welcomes Government Response To Wood

ACWA Welcomes Government Response to Wood

The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) has welcomed the release today of the NSW Government's plan to implement comprehensive reforms to the state's child protection system, recommended by Justice James Wood in his Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW.

ACWA CEO Andrew McCallum said he supports the principles contained within the reform package Keep Them Safe: A Shared Approach to Child Wellbeing, which includes a greater involvement of non-government agencies in service provision.

"ACWA is pleased with the government's commitment to implement 106 of Justice Wood's 111 recommendations and to back this with a substantial investment of $230 million. We also commend its decision to channel a significant portion of this money into prevention and early intervention programs that support fragile families to stand on their own feet," Mr McCallum said.

"Getting families the quality support they need, early enough, is fundamental in the battle against child abuse and neglect."

Mr McCallum has also welcomed the government's acknowledgment that genuine change cannot transpire without a united approach towards child protection between government and non-government organisations.

"Shared responsibility of child safety is key to successful reform and there needs to be a major cultural shift across the government and non-government sectors for collaborative initiatives to work effectively," he said.

"It is also imperative that the government embarks immediately on plans to transfer services to the non-government sector. There is a lot of work to be done and the sooner we get things moving, the sooner we can get it right. It is what our children deserve."

Mr McCallum is also calling for monitoring mechanisms to be put into place to measure the outcomes of the reforms and to ensure that vulnerable children and families are receiving the care and positive support they need.

The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies is the New South Wales peak body representing non-government organisations providing services to vulnerable children, young people and their families. The organisation has been operating for 50 years and has more than 100 member agencies.

MEDIA CONTACTS

For interviews please contact:
Andrew McCallum
CEO, ACWA
Mob: 0409 221 414
E: [email protected]


For all other media enquiries please contact:
Libby McCalman
Communications Officer, ACWA
Mob: 0418 659 525
E: [email protected]


SOURCE: Association of Children's Welfare Agencies