Irene Ceccanti’s Post

We are 100% behind NAPCAN's call for a national summit to prevent child maltreatment. The alarming findings from #ACMS research can't be ignored and the time has come for action. We need strong coordinated action to refocus on primary prevention. We need to restructure & align systems, processes & resourcing to achieve safe & supportive communities for children & their families. We call on the Commonwealth Government to initiate a summit on child protection with representation from diverse voices & wide range of sectors. If we all come together and sit at the same table, we can share our knowledge of what works and what we can do to keep children safe. Fiona STANLEY Dorothy Scott Adam Tomison Sue Packer AO Andrew McCallum AM Daryl Higgins SNAICC - National Voice for our Children ARACY (Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth) Families Australia Australian Institute of Family Studies Health Justice Australia Children’s Commissioners across Australia: Anne Hollonds Steve Kinmond Nicole Hucks Luke Twyford Helen Connolly Leanne McLean Liana Buchanan   https://lnkd.in/gZB2Pyfd

Closing the Gap Target 12 commits to reducing the rate of First Nations over-representation in Australian child protection systems by 45% by 2031. Despite this commitment, we are seeing more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems than ever before. This growing over-representation demands urgent, serious and meaningful action. For this to happen, we need to: - consistently apply the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle to the legislated standard when making decisions about a child and their family - empower and appropriately fund Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to fully lead solutions within their communities - address the root causes that drive demand for the child protection system - increase transparency and accountability in how we monitor over-representation in Queensland - have an unwavering commitment to making decisions in the best interests of the child, always. Our Principle Focus program explores more about what needs to be done to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e_4q4Hqt

Where we start matters.   Today, Uniting Communities is joining NAPCAN to call on the Commonwealth Government to host a National Summit to Prevent Child Maltreatment.   As a part of Child Protection Week, we believe it’s crucial to create a space for leaders, experts, government agencies as well as those with lived experience to have an informed conversation about child protection. While many agencies, across many jurisdictions, have begun vital work in this space, an issue this important requires a national conversation.   This involves reframing our approach to child maltreatment from responding to harm to stopping harm before it occurs. Through prioritising and refocussing on prevention in our conversations across government, the sector and the community, we can begin to create a fairer future for Australian children.   We believe a national summit to prevent child maltreatment can and should:   ➡ Bring decision and policy makers from across governments and portfolios into the same room. ➡ Learn from experts, academics, people working with children and families, individuals with lived experiences from across the community. ➡ Build a common understanding of what we already know about child abuse and neglect. ➡ Talk openly and honestly about what is working and not working. ➡ Explore the evidence on the root causes of maltreatment and find smarter solutions to prevent abuse. ➡ Establish prevention of abuse as a national and whole-of-community priority.   Like or share this post to join our call to create a safer, brighter future for South Australian families, one where as many children as possible grow up loved and safe. #ncpw #ncpw23 #wherewestartmatters

🔔🔔🔔 #Celebrating1000 Pleased to share that in less than 6 months since its launch, #UNICEF's e-course on Child Protection Systems Strengthening has been completed by over 1,000 #childprotection practitioners, with some very encouraging feedback. 🔝 85% say the course is excellent or very good. ⬆ 90% say the course is relevant to their work. ⬆ 95% say they will recommend the course to others. This is especially encouraging given that the course is a #deepdive and takes significant time and patience to complete. We are also receiving useful feedback to make the course better #thankyou, we are listening 👂. https://lnkd.in/es6Edrpy #celebrating1k #childprotection #systemschange

Protecting children and young people is everybody’s business. It requires a whole system, government, and community approach to ensure that our children are well cared for and achieving their potential. One in 32 Australian children under 18 years of age encounter care and protection services each year. These children often have complex health needs due to the adverse effects of neglect, alcohol and substance abuse, and family violence. They also experience other forms of abuse on neurodevelopment, but also from the effects of disruption to family attachment and structures. This #ChildProtectionWeek, we are calling on all Governments to commit to, and invest in, full implementation of the Safe and Supported National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-31. Access to the right health services, at the right time, in the right place because every child deserves a fair go. Read our recently launched position statement: https://lnkd.in/gT89j9bE Read the Safe and Supported National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-31: https://lnkd.in/g4adX3dt Find out more on NAPCAN’s Child Protection Week webpage: https://lnkd.in/giuk642

We’re disappointed but not surprised by yet another damning report finding the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is failing to protect children.   Just weeks after the Auditor-General made similar findings, the NSW Ombudsman is shining a light on unacceptable statistics like:  ❌ Aboriginal children are 12x more likely to enter out-of-home care than non-Aboriginal children ❌ There’s been a 62% increase in the number of Aboriginal children re-entering care over the past 5 years   This also reflects the findings in our Community Report Card on the Government’s slow progress reforming the child protection system. It’s time for the NSW Government and DCJ to get serious about Closing the Gap in out-of-home care, using the Family Is Culture Review as the roadmap to change.   More about the NSW Ombudsman’s findings: https://lnkd.in/gztyRxKj

Child protection in Sri Lanka had a near breakdown amidst the economic crisis. A landmark report was presented by an expert committee, and one of our very own Buddhini Withana (and my past school principal, Mrs. Wicks!) outlining a clear path for action with expert recommendations. Looking forward to reading the report and understanding the role we'll need to play to turn the recommendations into action.

Sunday 7th July is World Day for Child Protection Professionals Our #childprotection workforce plays a crucial role in safeguarding the most vulnerable children in society. However, child protection systems (both across Australia and internationally) are facing ongoing challenges in maintaining a stable and healthy workforce amidst high notification rates, limited organisational resources, and the escalating complexities of issues affecting at-risk children and families. Despite facing challenges, these professionals work tirelessly to protect at-risk children and families. Frontline work in child protection is emotionally demanding, often compounded by workplace stressors. Let's recognize and appreciate the dedication and hard work of child protection professionals worldwide. Together, let's #riseuptoendchildabuse and support these #childprotectionheroes. Learn more about this #worlddayforchildprotectionprofessionals at the link below: #childrensafety #awarenessday #ispcan

Are you interested in news and developments in the online child protection sphere? INHOPE is working towards a safer internet for all, especially for children. By signing up to our mailing list, you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments and follow our progress in real-time. Join our Quarterly Newsletter for regular updates on our work in the child protection space - https://bit.ly/3y2jEBY #CSAMawareness #prevention #childprotection #network #updates #network #report #CSAM #childsafety #prevention #strongertogether #newsletter #signup #childprotection #digitalsafety #networkupdates

Grateful to the lived expert panel for sharing their experiences of being youth in care. As one panelist shared, navigating the child protection system is like putting a puzzle together but not knowing what the puzzle’s box looks like. Youth in care deserve better. They need Accountability. Connection. Community. Transparency. Accessibility. The way forward requires that we LISTEN to young people in care. #TransitionsCPS