21 June 2010
The Department of Health and Families has welcomed the public release of the 200-page submission it lodged with the Inquiry into the Child Protection System in the Northern Territory in April 2010.Acting Executive Director of Families and Children, Clare Gardiner-Barnes, said, "The release of the Department's submission will enable interested parties and the broader community to consider some of the issues raised.
"The inquiry into the NT's child protection system has presented a valuable opportunity for our specialist staff in this field, as well as those in the Department at large, to provide input on how the care and protection system could look in the future.
"DHF has cooperated fully with the Inquiry and is prepared to be questioned by the panel should this be deemed necessary."
The DHF submission examined all areas of the child protection system, such as workforce retention and development, intake, statutory intervention, out of home care, legislation, the role of the non-government sector, role of other government agencies, services in rural and remote locations and support for families, including services for Indigenous children and families.
"Our detailed submission also analysed how the roles of health professionals and the non-government sector might be strengthened in their provision of primary universal prevention services to support families," Ms Gardiner-Barnes said.
"It is critical that any reforms to the NT's care and protection system are implemented in a spirit of true consultation with local communities and in alignment with relevant national initiatives.
"Approaches adopted at the local level need to be informed by evidence-based practice, a better coordinated approach across government services and adequately reflect local community need.
"This public inquiry into the NT's Child Protection System will provide further impetus to build on reform initiatives to the NT's child protection system that have been occurring over the past seven years. It represents an ongoing commitment to developing a quality care and protection system in the Territory."
Media contact: Robin Osborne, DHF Media Director, 0488 692 781
