Annual Child Protection Forum 2014

While as a nation we remain committed to protecting the rights of our children and keeping them safe how effectively have our systems worked in enhancing and upholding this commitment? What are some of the emerging challenges that threaten the safety of our children? How can we create systems and processes that prevent them from falling between the cracks? The 2nd annual Child Protection Forum brings together government, child welfare experts and practitioners, research leaders and educators to continue the discussion on how we can strengthen and advance our child protection systems to ensure and promote the safety and welfare of our children. The forum will share insights on the realities of violence and abuse against children, the strategies for prevention and early intervention and the ways in which we can engage the whole community to work towards a safe and nurturing society for our children. The topics for discussion will include: Examining the national child protection systemPolicy and practice state comparisonsWhat have been the greatest challenges and issues for prevention and care arising in the last yearCharacteristics of children coming under the system and a focus on early interventionEffective family support to prevent families from entering or re-entering the child protection systemNotifications and substantiations focusing on outcomes for the childAccess, capacity and capability of support systemsThe child protection workforce challenges and opportunities for development and changeMental and physical abuse, sexual abuse, out of home care, social media impact and implications, bullyingAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander childrenEmerging challenges and risk factors and prevention strategiesChildren and the law.

Speakers include:
Professor Graham Vimpani AM, Clinical Chair, Kaleidoscope: the Children's Health Network; Professor of Community Child and Family Health, University of Newcastle
Barrie Elvish, CEO, Wimmerra Un