ACTCOSS has made a submission to the Inquiry into Child and Youth Protection Services as it is of significant interest to several of our members and the wider Canberra community. ACTCOSS members working with children, young people and families who encounter child and youth protection services (CYPS) have been actively engaged in discussions on systems reform. Child protection responses critically inform and influence a range of important life outcomes for young people and at-risk families.
ACTCOSS sees improved administration and confidence in CYPS systems will be achieved by implementing a restorative response and approach that reduces a bias towards removal of children at-risk. We seek a child protection system that is transparent, accountable, human rights compliant, and works in collaboration with the community members it seeks to protect.