You are in an archived section of the Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) site. Publications in this section were produced by the former National Child Protection Clearinghouse which is now part of CFCA. Please visit Child Family and Community Australia Publications by topic for a full list of our publications.
Submissions
As part of its research and specialist advisory role, the National Child Protection Clearinghouse has produced a number of submissions assessing elements of child protection and child abuse prevention practice. Some of them are listed here.
Submission to the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW (2008) PDF (650 KB) | RTF (927 KB)
This submission draws on research to analyse systemic issues in child protection services and their underlying drivers, and to identify innovative and promising approaches to addressing the key challenges in the delivery of child protection services. Rather than providing recommendations in relation to each of the terms of reference, this submission provides an evidence-based analysis of high-level systemic issues in child protection.
Improving Permanency for Children in Care (2006) PDF (191 KB) | RTF (72 KB)
This submission has been made to the Queensland Department of Child Safety. It is a discussion paper, and asks is it necessary to consider another permanent alternative option in addition to the existing alternative care options in order to secure stable long-term care for children who cannot be reunified with their birth family?
Development of a Charter of Rights for children and young people in care (2005) PDF (220 KB)
This Discussion Paper has been made to the Advocate for Children in Care in the Victorian Department of Human Services. A Charter of Rights is likely to benefit children and young people in care if it is linked to specific mechanisms for implementation and if it is publicly monitored and publicly reported.
Victorian Child Protection exposure draft Legislation (2005) (PDF 160 KB)
Advocate for Children in Care, Victorian Department of Human Services
The National Child Protection Clearinghouse recognises the important contribution to the wellbeing of Victorian children that the Victorian government and in particular staff within the Department of Human Services have made in undertaking this legislative review process and drafting of the Children Bill exposure draft. The Clearinghouse supports the intent of the new legislation to provide a more integrated service system that prioritises the best interests of the child above all else. However, the Clearinghouse does have concerns about some specific aspects of the new legislation which are discussed in the submission.
Submission on the Discussion Draft for Draft Legislation for Regulation of Mobile Premium Services (2005) PDF (91 KB)| RTF (21 KB)
The Australian Communications Authority disseminated a discussion paper regarding the regulation of premium content services supplied via mobile phones (eg, chat rooms; adult material). The ACA sought written comment from the National Child Protection Clearinghouse on the discussion paper, particularly in regard to how regulations should address issues such as the preventing children accessing adult content and mobile chat room services being used by paedophiles for 'grooming' of children.
Submission on the Discussion Draft for Proposed Care and Protection of Children and Young People Act (2005) PDF (233 KB)| RTF (344 KB)
The Northern Territory Government is reforming its child protection system to improve care and support for children, young people and families in the Territory. It provided a Discussion Draft Care and Protection of Children and Young People Act (the new legislation to replace the current Community Welfare Act 1983) and an accompanying consultation paper, on which the National Child Protection Clearinghouse was asked to review and provide comment.
Submission on the Discussion Draft for Draft Legislation for Working with Children (2005) PDF (175 KB)| RTF (109 KB)
The Victorian Government released an Exposure Draft Bill of the Working with Children Check that would see the implementation of a screening process for individuals who seek to work with children in a voluntary or paid capacity. The Victorian Government invited comments from the National Child Protection Clearinghouse on the Exposure Draft Bill.
Submission on the Discussion Draft for Proposals for Screening of Individuals who Work with Children in Tasmania (2005) PDF (145 KB) | RTF (138 KB)
The Commissioner for Children Tasmania released a consultation paper discussing proposals for the government to introduce policies and procedures for Tasmanian organisations to screen individuals who seek to work with children in a voluntary or paid capacity. The National Child Protection Clearinghouse reviewed and provided comment on the proposals.
Submission on Victorian Legislative Reform (Technical Options for Protecting Children: Ten Priorities for Children's Wellbeing and Safety in Victoria) (2004)
Background and Summary of Clearinghouse Recommendations PDF (195 KB) | RTF (96 KB)
Submission for Technical Options Paper PDF (188 KB)| RTF (138 KB)
In September 2004, the Victorian government released the third stage of its review process of the State's statutory child protection service. It released a report titled 'Protecting children: Ten priorities for children's well being and safety in Victoria: technical options paper'. This report outlined the reforms proposed for Victoria's child protection service, the Children's and Young Persons Act 1989, the Community Services Act 1970, and the Children's court in ten key areas. The National Child Protection Clearinghouse reviewed and provided comment on the report.
Submission on the draft 'Internet Industry Association Codes of Practice for Industry Co-Regulation in Areas of Internet and Mobile Content' (2004) PDF (180 KB)| RTF (981 KB)
The Internet Industry Association of Australia developed guidelines for Internet Content Hosts, Internet Service Providers and Mobile Carriers aimed at ensuring compliance with their legal obligations and promoting the adoption of responsible processes and procedures for dealing with Content issues. The IIA sought written comment from the National Child Protection Clearinghouse on the discussion paper, particularly in regard to how regulations should address issues such as preventing children accessing adult content and mobile chat room services being used by paedophiles for 'grooming' of children.