Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-31

The Commissioner is part of the National Leadership Group overseeing the implementation of the National Safe and Supported Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children. This role includes a role on three key oversight groups including the Implementation Coordination Committee (ICC), Shared Decision- Making Committee (SDMC) and the Senior Oversight Committee (SOC). The Western Australian Government is a signatory to the Framework and associated action plans.

As part of her role on the Leadership Group, the Commissioner together with the two Western Australian Community members (Ms Barbara Henry and Mr Karl Williamson) engages directly with the Minister for Child Protection and the Department of Communities on matters relating to the planning and implementation of deliverables under the Framework.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan (2023-26) has eight actions that are highly unlikely to be met within the timeframe of the plan.

There is significant work to do in Western Australia, and across the nation, if the Framework is to deliver on its objectives before 2031. This work also impacts on the lack of progress on Target 12 of ‘Closing the Gap’ to reduce the rate of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45 per cent by 2031.