WA Child protection pathway project final report
Date
2021
Authors
Paton, A.
Cox, S.
McDougall, S.
Bromfield, L.
Bevan, K.
Gadsdon, M.
Scott, J.
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There have been significant learnings for Communities from internal and external reviews and reports over the past four years. These have driven the approximately 30 child protection reform or strategy projects being undertaken across Communities at present; each with their own resources, outcomes, and timeframes. With daily service pressures increasing, the ongoing nature of reviews, and National child protection reforms continuously impacting State activities, there is an identified risk for Communities in losing traction in key reform areas and being diverted from its primary focus without a cohesive pathway forward. This project mapped the various reform areas to provide a cohesive plan for moving forward. The target service-delivery cohorts include Foster/ Family Carers; Frontline Service Delivery Staff; ACCOs and NGOs who provide services to the Department; and most importantly, children/ young people/ families who are either: experiencing/ have experienced abuse/ neglect; leaving out-of-home care and transitioning to adulthood and their families; multiple/ complex needs; at risk of engaging with the child protection system; Aboriginal children, young people and families were a particular focus area as they are significantly overrepresented in the child protection space and are entering OOHC at an alarmingly increasing rate. The Team also worked with the Departmental staff to strengthen Communities internal expertise and professional practice. The review conducted during this project has resulted in the development of several materials that will assist the Department of Communities towards reform; these have been designed as the first step in the longer-term Child Protection reform and will later inform stage two which is the creation of the 10-year Roadmap to Reduce the Number of Aboriginal Children in Out-of-Home Care (future project). The outputs include a Blueprint, Strategy Maps aligning priority activities, and system implementation guidance.
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Copyright 2023 State of Western Australia