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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 provisions commenced relating to the employment of children and young people.
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 [PDF 200KB] [RTF 661KB]
Information Sharing Forms and Fact Sheets
Information Holders Fact Sheet [PDF 17KB] [RTF 56KB]
Information Sharing Key Points [PDF 13KB] [RTF 49KB]
Information Sharing Entity Fact Sheet [PDF 17KB] [RTF 53KB]
Declared Care Team Fact Sheet [PDF 17KB] [RTF 49KB]
Care Team Record Keeping for Members Fact Sheet [PDF 13KB] [RTF 51KB]
Consent to Share Information Form [PDF 12KB] [RTF 44KB]
Declared Care Team
Under the Children and Young People ACT 2008, the Chief Executive or delegate of the Community Services Directorate can declare a Care Team. For more information on this topic, please refer to the Declared Care Team information sheet.
Declared Care Team [PDF 60KB] [RTF 757KB]
Overview of changes in the Act
Overview of key changes in the Act [PDF 60KB] [RTF 148KB]
Overview of the Children and Young People Act 2008
Overview of the Children and Young People Act 2008 [Powerpoint 121KB]
Information on the Review of the Children and Young People Act 1999
Any questions regarding the Children and Young People Act 2008 can be emailed to ocyfs@act.gov.au
