Child aware approaches: Promoting local solutions & community action to enhance child safety & wellbeing in Australia

Child Aware Approaches is a new national initiative, which aims to embed and promote Child Aware principles and practices across organisations, communities, business and governments. This initiative is an integral part of the... [ view full abstract ]

Child Aware Approaches is a new national initiative, which aims to embed and promote Child Aware principles and practices across organisations, communities, business and governments. This initiative is an integral part of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020; Australia’s first national plan to address child abuse and neglect. The National Framework is significant in the international context for its hallmark collaborative approach between Governments and civil society.
Child Aware Approaches aim to showcase innovation and promising practices for non-government organisations and local communities, and harness their collaborative efforts for improving the safety and wellbeing of Australian children and young people.
The Australian Government provided funding to trial Child Aware Local Initiatives (CALI) in seven local communities which have identified a community sector or local government lead agency.
The seven trial site leaders are supported by Families Australia and the Australian Centre for Child Protection (UNI South Australia).
CALI was rolled out during 2014-15. The outcomes demonstrate that local communities are concerned about children’s safety and wellbeing, and are capable of identifying and trialing ways to support children and their families, to prevent violence against children. CALI is helping adults to engage with children and young people. Outcomes show that community leadership and engagement can improve aspects of safety and wellbeing for children, young people and their families.
While the final report is not yet available, Families Australia anticipates that in some sites notifications to child protection authorities have reduced. It appears that improving community attitudes and understanding may enhance support for children and families experiencing vulnerability by improving access to early prevention and intervention strategies which focus on child safety and wellbeing.
The CALI learnings have potential as an innovative community strategy to reduce the alarming rates of child protection substantiations in Australia.