Legislation

Children and Young People ACT 2008

The Children & Young People Act 2008 Legislation was passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly on 1 July 2008.

The detail of the Act addresses how our community deals with child protection, young offenders, childcare services and the employment of children.

The Act reforms the law about the care, protection and wellbeing of children in the Territory. It aims to address questions such as:

"How do we protect our children and young people?"
"How do we establish a framework that seeks to support them?"
"How do we provide for the unique needs of young people in the criminal justice system?"
"How do we position our regulatory framework as the best?"

The Act is about fulfilling our duty, as a whole community, towards our children.

Commencement Dates

On 9 September 2008 the provisions relating to youth justice commenced providing new measures to ensure safety, security and good order at Bimberi, the new youth justice centre. There is a primary focus on rehabilitation, flexibility and consistency in sentencing young offenders.

On 27 October 2008 provisions commenced relating to the care and protection of children and young people including parental responsibility, out of home care, the Official Visitor, family group conferences, enforcement, appeals and review and information sharing.

Provisions relating to the administration of community youth justice, childcare services, the Children and Youth Services Council and research involving children and young people commenced on the 27 February 2009.

On 18 July 2009, Chapter 21 of the Act which refers to the employment of children and young people will commence.

The Children and Young People Act 1999 is then repealed.

Explanatory guide to the Act

Policy and Procedure Guidelines for Information Sharing

This policy provides clarification about why, when and how to share information legally, professionsally and appropriately when obtained while preforming a function under the Children and Young People Act 2008.

Information Sharing: Policy and Procedure Guidelines 299kb
Information Sharing: Policy and Procedure Guidelines 195kb

Information Sharing Forms and Fact Sheets

Information Holders Fact Sheet 33KB
Information Holders Fact Sheet 20KB
Information Sharing Key Points 29KB
Information Sharing Key Points 16KB
Information Sharing Entity Fact Sheet 20KB
Information Sharing Entity Fact Sheet 21KB
Declared Care Team Fact Sheet 29KB
Declared Care Team Fact Sheet 20KB
Care Team Record Keeping for Members Fact Sheet 29KB
Care Team Record Keeping for Members Fact Sheet 16KB
Consent to Share Information Form 29KB
Consent to Share Information Form 19KB

Declared Care Team

Under the Children and Young People ACT 2008 the, the Chief Executive or delegate of the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services can declare a Care Team. For more information on this topic, please refer to the Declared Care Team information sheet.

Declared Care Team 69kb
Declared Care Team 60kb

Overview of changes in the Act

Overview of key changes in the Act 180kb
Overview of key changes in the Act 60kb

A brief overview of the Children and Young People Act 2008 (PowerPoint Presentation)

Overview of the Children and Young People Act 2008 121kb