NAPCAN welcomes new national plan to reduce child abuse and neglect

NAPCAN welcomes the Third Action Plan 2015-18, under the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020, which was launched on 9 December.

The Third Action Plan marks an important ongoing commitment of Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments in partnership with non-government organisations to address and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Launching the Third Action Plan the Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter said, “It is vital we do everything we can to improve the safety, wellbeing and health of our children.”

“Through this plan we aim to get better information to parents about the first 1000 days of a child’s life and why they are so important. This includes providing practical advice to expectant parents to get them ready for the responsibilities ahead of them, advice to new parents about how to support their child’s development and where to go to get help” said Mr Porter.

NAPCAN endorses this commitment to assisting parents in the challenging and rewarding task of raising children.

NAPCAN CEO Richard Cooke said, “The increased focus on getting better information to parents and the community about the developmental needs in the first 1000 days of a child’s life is critical in improving the safety and wellbeing of our children.”

“It takes village to raise a child and communities must be resourced and empowered to be able to assist families to thrive. We look forward to working together to increase the safety and wellbeing of all children.”

Key areas of work in the Third Action Plan will be:

• prevention and early intervention so children are safe and well and families receive support when they need it, especially in the first thousand days of a child’s life,
• better supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities to help reduce the number of children in need of child protection services,
• increasing support for young people in out-of-home care to help them move to independence,
  and building child-safe organisations.

NAPCAN is pleased to be participating in the implementation of this plan with all levels of Government and the NGO partners.

For more information go to: www.dss.gov.au/protectingaustraliaschildren.