A message from the Chief Executive

Dear sector colleagues

With just a few days remaining in 2022, it’s timely to reflect on the year that has been, our successes and our learnings.

Together, we can take pride in the significant progress we have achieved through sharing our resources, co-designing and implementing new service agreements and a stronger, more renewed focus with Child and Family Focus SA (CAFFSA).

Kate Alexander’s review, Trust in Culture: A review of child protection in SA, reminded us of the steps necessary to rebalance and refocus the system within a culture of continuous improvement.

I want to thank you all for the flexibility, trust and ongoing support you have shown the department this year.

Kate Alexander’s review was, of course, one of a number of reviews received in recent months. You’ll find updates on these reviews in our final edition of Partner for 2022. We also feature new information about our licensing reform and the legislative review, as well as details of new shared training opportunities.

As we continue our journey in 2023, I know we have the well-qualified and highly skilled staff – and partners – to keep children and young people safe, and to help them thrive. I look forward to working with you on even more opportunities for growth throughout the next calendar year.

I hope you get a moment to pause before the New Year arrives – to spend time with your family and loved ones, and enjoy a happy and healthy festive period.

Cathy Taylor
Chief Executive
Department for Child Protection

COVID-19 sector update

While COVID-19 may not be dominating the news like it has previously, we have published a small COVID-19 update on our sector news page.

Brighter futures

School-based traineeships now available

Do you know a young person interested in taking on a traineeship?

The Department for Education is offering paid, 1 day a week school-based traineeships for 2023 to students currently in years 10, 11 and 12.

Applications are open now and close in late January 2023. Read the full story.

Class of 2022 celebrates in style

The beautiful Government House set the scene for a special day in the lives of many young people in care on December 5.

The Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, hosted the annual Year 12 graduation ceremony. Find out more.

Best practice spotlight

DCP staff recognised at awards

DCP staff took out two awards at the recent Gladys Elphick Awards, which recognise the achievements of Aboriginal women who work tirelessly to advance the status of Aboriginal people. Read the full story.

DCP award winners Sasha Houthuysen/Hill and Renee Andrew/Coulthard.

Update on recent reviews

As you’re all aware, the State Government has recently received reports from a number of reviews into the child protection sector.

We are committed to continuous improvement and the Kate Alexander review, the Mal Hyde review, and the report into the Independent Inquiry into Foster and Kinship Care provide us with an opportunity to do so.

The State Government accepted in principle two of the three recommendations in the Kate Alexander review and all 31 recommendations outlined in the Hyde review.

The Minister for Child Protection, the Hon. Katrine Hildyard MP, has made several immediate commitments to address recommendations from the report into the Independent Inquiry into Foster and Kinship Care.

This includes prioritising reform of the care concern process, improving the existing model of respite support and establishing a Carer Council that will provide advice to government directly.

Minister Hildyard will continue to collaborate with carers, peak body Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers SA, and other key stakeholders into the new year. Forums for carers, to explore the recommendations further, will be held in January.

Review of the child protection legislation

Thank you to our partners and stakeholders for your valuable contributions to the review of the state's child protection legislation and engaging in this important conversation.

The initial community consultation period has now finished.

The State Government committed to consult widely to understand what is working well and how we might improve the legislation as part of the review.

We held 16 public consultation sessions in metropolitan and regional locations across the state, including seven targeted forums for Aboriginal stakeholders.

We would also like to acknowledge Child and Family Focus SA for facilitating consultation with many of you and providing a detailed submission on behalf of its members.

This community feedback, along with other evidence and examples of best practice, is now being considered in the preparation of a report for the Minister for Child Protection.

The final report is expected to be tabled in Parliament in March 2023.

Following the State Government’s consideration of the report, the Minister is committed to a further round of consultation on a draft amendment bill in 2023. We look forward to continuing the community conversation with you.

The Discussion Paper is still available online and includes further information about the review’s focus.

If you have any questions about the review, please contact the review team at DCPCYPSActReview@sa.gov.au or visit www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/CYPSActReview for more information.

Licensing reform - moving forward in 2023

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback as part of our internal and external consultation on the proposed DCP licensing approach.

The feedback process started on 5 October and ended on 1 November 2022, with a high level of engagement from stakeholders.

Working collaboratively with service providers is a critical element in understanding where quality improvements can be made that will support the delivery of better and safer outcomes for children and young people.

We’re in the process of considering this feedback and revising the proposed DCP Licensing Quality and Compliance Framework and associated documents where appropriate.

Preparation for the approval process and planning for a phased approach to implementation is also underway.

Thank you for your continued support as we reform DCP’s Licensing Services to develop a holistic, transparent and culturally safe approach that supports improved outcomes for children and young people in care.

We look forward to continuing these valuable discussions.

News

Help a young person become an advocate

We’re looking for young people aged 15 to 25 with a care experience to join our young person group, No Capes for Change.

Members meet monthly and discuss and advise on child protection projects and services, while developing skills in leadership and communication.

To find out more, visit our Youth Engagement Strategy page, which includes an Expression of Interest form, or email the team at DCPCYEProgram@sa.gov.au.

Updated training resources

A number of recently updated departmental training resources are now available for service providers to use on our service providers page.

This includes PowerPoint slides and facilitator notes on:

Introduction to the South Australian child protection system
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse child placement policy and principles
Working in partnership with foster and kinship carers.

These training materials are part of our commitment to collaborating with the sector and sharing resources to ensure safe and quality service provision.

We will continue to engage and collaborate with our partners to create more resources to share information and build knowledge across the sector.

CAFFSA Annual General Meeting

Child and Family Focus SA (CAFFSA) held its annual general meeting in November, providing a crucial opportunity for the sector to reflect on 2022 and determine key objectives for the next 12 months.

Minister for Child Protection, the Hon Katrine Hildyard MP, thanked CAFFSA and its members for their ongoing dedication and commitment to leading sector engagement and meaningful change.

Using the World Café method for hosting large group dialogue, the meeting provided an opportunity for attendees to have in-depth discussions with SA Child Protection Awards 2022 winners.

Award winners who shared how they are improving the lives of children, young people, carers and families, included KWY, Life Without Barriers, the CREATE Foundation, Uniting Country SA and the department’s COVID-19 Morphett Vale residential care team.

Leadership appointments and farewells across the sector

Changes at Centacare

Leanne Haddad has been appointed Director of Centacare Catholic Family Services.

For the past year Leanne has held the position of Deputy Director, providing leadership, corporate and service delivery support to Director Pauline Connelly.

Together, Leanne and Pauline will continue to lead in partnership and shape service growth in line with community need.

Leanne has worked in government and non-government services across operational child protection positions, policy and planning, learning and development, contract management, service design, leadership and executive roles.

She joined Centacare in 2017 as Executive Manager of Children’s Services and starts her new role on January 3, 2023.

Centacare has also appointed Amalie Mannik Executive Manager of Children’s Services. She has been acting in the position since May.

We look forward to continuing to work with Leanne, Pauline and Amalie in their new roles.

From left: Leanne Haddad, Pauline Connelly and Amalie Mannik.

DCP appointments

Andrew Cannella has been appointed Manager, Service Contracts and Licensing.

Andrew has been acting in this role in recent months and has worked across the finance and licensing arms of the department for the past four years.

His qualifications in law and accountancy, and established relationships with staff and the sector, make him the ideal person to lead and support the Service Contracts and Licensing team into 2023 and beyond.

Please join us in congratulating Andrew!

Terry Weissel is DCP’s new Manager, Licensing, Quality and Compliance.

Terry has worked previously with DCP as a licensing compliance officer and it’s terrific to welcome her back into this leadership role.

She re-joins the department from her current position as Team Leader of the Licensing Unit at SafeWork SA. Terry looks forward to returning to her passion of working in child protection and being involved in the licensing reform work that is currently underway in DCP. Terry starts her new role on 9 January 2023. Congratulations, Terry!

Do you have a new executive appointment you’d like us to share? Or, would you like to bid farewell to an executive who has made a significant contribution to the child protection sector in South Australia?

Let us know at DCPCommunications@sa.gov.au.

How to contribute to Partner

We are keen to hear from you

Partner is a great platform for us to collaborate and share learnings, innovation and best practice. Partner can showcase the great work that happens every day.

If you have an article you would like to share with your sector colleagues, contact DCPCommunications@sa.gov.au.