1,187 children have been helped to safely maintain connection with their families because of an innovative approach, backed by the State Government, that is designed to keep families together and keep children out of the residential care system.
Family Group Conferencing is a voluntary, strengths-based, inclusive process that empowers families to collectively make decisions about the wellbeing of their children.
There has been a total of 650 Family Group Conferences since the State Government expanded the program, with a success rate of 91.5% for the financial year 2023/24.
The success rate for Aboriginal children who continued in the care of their families after a Family Group Conference was 90.4% for 2023/24.
Following the incredible success of Family Group Conferences in keeping families together, the Malinauskas Labor Government has this year allocated $3.7 million as part of a wider $13.4 million investment.
Expanding the use of Family Group Conferencing is at the heart of transformative child protection legislation introduced into the parliament last year.
The new Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill 2024 will help transform and expand the capacity of the child protection and family support system and will help improve the lives of children and young people and assist with tackling the complex issues facing South Australian families.
The legislation passed through the Lower House late last year, following a comprehensive review where nearly 1000 people provided feedback and further consultation.
The Government’s support of Family Group Conferences and the remarkable success rate is in line with the findings of an evaluation report conducted by the SA based Australian Centre for Child Protection, which found that children and young people who participate in Family Group Conferences are significantly less likely to be placed into out of home care or to experience future instances of abuse and neglect.
Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard visited New Zealand in November 2024, where Family Group Conferencing has been at the heart of the child protection and family support system for several decades. The Minister met with dozens of stakeholders to further inform how Family Group Conferences can continue to have a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people in South Australia.
Quotes
Attributable to Katrine Hildyard
To see the tangible benefits and outcomes that the Malinauskas Labor Government's investment into Family Group Conferencing is having on children, their families and the child protection and family support system is incredibly pleasing.
Family Group Conferences successfully channel the combined strength of extended family to create better outcomes for their children and young people. The success rate shows this process is clearly working.
The results are great – but we know there is more to be done. That is why through the landmark, transformative child protection and family support system legislation I introduced last year, we are expanding Family Group Conferencing so that more families can experience the benefits of the process.
I thank the exceptional professionals who skilfully engage with families through these conferences, and I commend the families whose participation has been instrumental in transforming the lives of children and young people.
I am so proud that this investment is making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people who most need support.
