This report takes a systems-based approach to child protection, by examining the factors that facilitate a shift across organisational and child protection systems towards the prevention of child abuse and neglect. One of the essential components of such a radical shift is collaboration across professions, sectors and levels of government to deliver the best outcomes for children. The report considers best practice examples from Britain, the United States and Australia (Victoria). It identifies four key elements required to move the system to a more preventive focus: articulation of a shared vision; building a supportive culture; integrated governance arrangements; legislative support.

Read the full report at http://is.gd/x7aK.

Source: Australian Policy Online.

Prue Holzer, National Child Protection Clearinghouse

This Fact Sheet was prepared to coincide with National Child Protection Week, 7-13 September 2008. It presents an overview of child protection in Australia, including how child abuse and neglect is defined, its prevalence, the costs of child maltreatment, and prevention and early intervention strategies. Read the full text of Child protection in Australia. "Children see. Children do. Make your influence positive" at  http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/fs1/fs1.html.

By Lillian De Bortoli and Philip Mendes.
First Posted Monday, 3 March 2008 at On Line Opinion .

Recent media reports suggest an increasing number of children of illicit drug users are being exposed to severe child abuse and neglect. Six-year-old Rose Austin died in Sydney after she was given methadone instead of cough mixture. In Victoria, five-year-old Cody was beaten to death by his drug-abusing stepfather. Elizjah Lynden-Baker was born to a drug-addicted mother in Adelaide; she was born head first onto a footpath behind a tree. Four weeks later, the baby was found dead lying face down in a soft pillow.

By Sharon Bessell and Tali Gal / Crawford School of Economics and Government 

The care and protection of children experiencing or considered to be at risk of abuse or neglect within their families is a major policy dilemma. Children in the care and protection system do not fare well on a range of indicators, when compared to the overall population.

Book Review by John Tomlinson.  First Posted Wednesday, 20 February 2008 at On Line Opinion.

Coercive reconciliation, Altman, J. & Hinkson, M. (eds.) [2007] Arena, North Carlton.

Coercive reconciliation is an outstanding book which deserves to be read by every politician, bureaucrat, social worker, nurse, doctor, community worker, employee of Territory Indigenous organisations and others who have an interest in non-Indigenous/Aboriginal relations.

By Sharon Bessell and Tali Gal (Crawford School of Economics and Government)
First Posted 21-11-2007 at Australian Policy Online

This paper synthesises concepts of human rights, children's needs and citizenship as a basis for redefining policy and services for children in out of home care. The authors suggest that improved support for children in out of home care requires the recognition of children as partners.

By Muriel Bamblett, First Posted at On Line Opinion Friday, 14 December 2007

It is time for national laws to place Australia's first children first.

The model of foster care we operate in Australia is wrong. It is wrong for all children; it is wrong for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It is based on a false dichotomy. That a child is either with, and raised by, their birth family or by a foster family.

The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian is asking all blue card applicants to use new forms when applying for a blue card.

Little children are sacred: Report of the NT Board of Inquiry into the protection of Aboriginal children from sexual abuse

The Board of Inquiry was created by the Northern Territory Government in August 2006 to research and report on allegations of sexual abuse of Aboriginal children. The Inquiry was established to find better ways to protect Aboriginal children from sexual abuse.

The full report is now available: Little children are sacred: Report of the NT Board of Inquiry into the protection of Aboriginal children from sexual abuse (PDF file).  Or you can read a Summary of the report.