Amendments to the Children and Community Services Act 2004
2017 Review
Following a statutory review of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 in 2017, 70 recommendations were made, 53 of which involve legislative amendments.
Changes to the Children and Community Services Act 2004 will see reporting of child sexual abuse made mandatory for ministers of religion and reforms to achieve better outcomes for children in state care as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Children and Community Services Amendment Bill 2019 introduced to State Parliament on 28 November 2019 implements recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the statutory review.
Other amendments in the Bill cover areas including:
- planning for long term stability and continuity in children’s living arrangements, and maintaining family connections where possible for children who stay in care;
- enhancing application of the Aboriginal child placement principle and cultural support planning for Aboriginal children in care through closer work with Aboriginal families and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations;
- strengthening shared responsibility across government for responding to the needs of children in care and care leavers.
2012 Review
Following a review of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 in 2012, a suite of amendments will come into operation from 1 January 2016. Amendments are outlined in the resources below:
Summary of amendments as at 1 January 2016
List of prescribed authorities
Overview of new laws supporting information sharing – section 28B - Fact sheet
Implementation information for the non-government sector - Fact sheet
Working Together for a better future for at risk children and families – A guide for information sharing for government and non-government agencies
Request for Information form - Section 28B
e-Learning – New laws supporting the exchange of information
Body piercing, tattooing and branding young people