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| National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020 | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020 |
| Country | Australia |
| Launched | 2009 |
| Concluded | 2020 |
| Coordinating body | Australian Government |
| Related | Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian Institute of Family Studies |
National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020
The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020 was a national strategy developed to reduce child abuse and neglect across Australia and to coordinate action among federal, state and territory jurisdictions including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, and Northern Territory. Endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in 2009, the Framework linked reform agendas from agencies such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the Australian Institute of Family Studies and peak bodies including FareShare and Anglicare Australia to align delivery with international instruments like the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Implementation involved partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission stakeholders and community-controlled health services like Royal Flying Doctor Service satellite programs.
The Framework emerged after national inquiries and reports such as the Bringing Them Home report, the Little Children are Sacred report and the Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision analyses, building on recommendations from the Australian Human Rights Commission and reviews by the Productivity Commission. It was shaped through consultations with entities like the Australian Council of Social Service, Family Court of Australia, Australian Council on Children and Parenting, and non‑government organisations including The Smith Family, Save the Children (Australia), Barnardos Australia, and Mission Australia. Funding pathways were negotiated with the Australian Treasury and administered through Commonwealth programs interfacing with state child protection systems such as those operated by Department of Communities and Justice (New South Wales) and Department of Child Protection and Family Support (Western Australia).
The Framework specified national objectives mirroring outcomes advanced by agencies like the World Health Organization, the UNICEF, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics child welfare indicators. Core outcomes included: children live in safe and supportive families and communities; vulnerable families are identified and supported; children's physical and emotional well‑being is promoted; Indigenous children are supported within family and community contexts; and systems and services are integrated, aligning with practice models promoted by the Australian Association of Social Workers and research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies. Targets were informed by longitudinal studies such as the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
Governance rested with intergovernmental mechanisms including the Council of Australian Governments and taskforces drawing membership from federal ministers, state and territory ministers, and non‑government leaders like CEOs of Anglicare Australia and St Vincent de Paul Society (Australia). Implementation was coordinated through agencies such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and monitored by research partners including the Australian Institute of Family Studies and universities such as University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and Monash University. Program delivery interfaced with courts including the Family Court of Australia and child welfare statutory authorities such as the Department of Child Protection (South Australia).
The Framework catalysed programs and initiatives including family support and early intervention services delivered by organisations like Mission Australia, The Benevolent Society, and Save the Children (Australia), targeted Indigenous programs with Aboriginal Medical Service (Redfern), and cross‑sectoral pilots in partnership with health services such as Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. It supported workforce development through accreditation bodies including the Australian Association of Social Workers and training partnerships with institutions such as TAFE NSW and Australian Catholic University. It also underpinned child protection reforms in jurisdictions influencing legislation such as amendments in Child Protection Act 1999 (Queensland) and policy reforms referenced by inquiries like the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Monitoring used indicators compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and evaluation research published by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, drawing on administrative data from state agencies including the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (Victoria). National reporting cycles produced progress reports and performance frameworks assessed against benchmarks from international bodies such as UNICEF and national statistical series from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Independent reviews referenced findings from commissions and inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and recommendations from expertos at the Productivity Commission (Australia).
The Framework contributed to strengthened interjurisdictional coordination, expansion of early intervention services by NGOs like Barnardos Australia and The Smith Family, and improved data collection through the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; proponents cited alignment with evidence from universities including University of Queensland and Griffith University. Critics argued the Framework lacked enforceable targets, citing gaps identified by advocates including Fred Hollows Foundation affiliates and scrutiny from civil society coalitions such as the Australian Council of Social Service, and noted variable implementation across jurisdictions including Northern Territory and Tasmania. Reviews highlighted ongoing overrepresentation of Indigenous children in statutory care, echoing analyses from Lowitja Institute and commentary by leaders in Aboriginal health like Pat Anderson.
The Framework informed successor strategies and national agreements, influencing policy architecture in instruments adopted after 2020 such as the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and reforms coordinated through the Council of Australian Governments. Lessons shaped commissioning models used by state agencies including Department of Communities and Justice (New South Wales) and fed into inquiries like the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, while research outputs continued through the Australian Institute of Family Studies and academic centres at University of Western Australia and Australian National University. The Framework's emphasis on prevention and interagency collaboration remains referenced in contemporary policy debates by organisations such as Anglicare Australia and Save the Children (Australia).
Category:Child welfare in Australia