Landry supports “Yesvember” and says Yes to #aHomeForEveryChild

The Federal Coalition Government, state and territory governments, and non-government organisations are committed to improving permanency outcomes for the 48,000 children in out-of-home care and ensuring they have a safe, stable and loving home.

Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Michelle Landry, today affirmed this commitment at the National Permanency Conference in Brisbane, which was organised as part of Adoption Awareness Month by Adopt Change. This year Adopt Change has launched the “Yesvember” campaign to show the solidarity of Australians who want to ensure every child has access to a safe, nurturing and permanent home.

“We will continue to work together towards permanency reform for children in out-of-home care who cannot return to their families. A Home for Every Child is something we can all agree needs to be a priority,” Minister Landry said.

“We know that a sense of security and stability gives a child a better chance in life.”

In June 2018, Community Services Ministers agreed to deliver a National Permanency Work Plan to deliver on improving permanency outcomes for children in out-of-home care.

The National Permanency Work Plan builds on reforms underway in each state and territory and has informed two key priority areas of the Fourth Action Plan 2018‑2020 under the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 to:

• Improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island children at risk of entering, or in contact with child protection systems, and
• Improve outcomes for children in out-of-home care by strengthening placement stability through reunification and other permanent care options.

The Fourth Action Plan will also focus on reducing children’s entry into child protection systems by strengthening prevention and early intervention initiatives.

The Government is currently working with states and territories to finalise the Fourth Action Plan by the end of 2018.