Feedback on the Draft Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill submission – September 2024

Like all governments in Australia the South Australian Government has an obligation to protect and promote human rights, including rights covered in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). There is overwhelming evidence and broad support to address systemic issues in the current system response to child protection matters in South Australia. Previous reviews and inquiries on child protection have outlined gaps in prevention and early intervention support, how these gaps have influenced a continued reliance on a crisis response and limitations for children and young people participating in decision-making processes. YACSA believes South Australia’s child protection system has long resorted to a crisis-based response rather than prioritising investment in services and support needed to provide prevention and early intervention.