Child Abuse
Child and Family Centres
Childcare Services
Youth Interact
Overseas Recruitment
Publications
Adoptions
ACT Children's Plan 
Bimberi Youth Justice Centre
Childcare
Choosing Childcare in the ACT
Child Protection
Children's Policy and Regulation Newsletter
Government Reports
Kinship and Foster Carers
Legislation
Out of Home Care
Office for Children, Youth and Family Support Programs
Parenting
Working with Children
Youth
Adoptions
Search and Reunion [PDF 459KB] [RTF 4,971KB]
Report on Key Findings on the Review of the Adoption Act 1993 [PDF 108KB] [RTF 2,123KB]
Discussion Paper on the Adoption Act 1993 May 2006 [PDF 217KB] [RTF 2MB]
ACT Adoption and Information Services [PDF 477KB] [RTF 166KB]
Intercountry Adoption Brochure [PDF 481KB] [RTF 162KB]
Stepchildren and Adoption Brouchure [PDF 182KB] [RTF 182KB]
Considering a Plan of Adoption [PDF 459KB] [RTF 164KB]
Local Adoption [PDF 469KB] [RTF 163KB]
Enduring Parental Responsibility [PDF 24KB] [RTF 28KB]
Bimberi Youth Justice Centre
Bimberi Youth Justice Centre and related information
Bimberi Youth Justice Centre
Bimberi Handbook - A Young Person's Guide to Bimberi Youth Justice Centre [PDF 1.3MB]
The Human Rights Audit of Quamby Youth Detention Centre can be found at: www.hrc.act.gov.au
Lost in Transition Report [PDF 1.94MB] [Word 1MB]
Lost in Transition Executive Summary [PDF 412KB] [Word 143KB]
ACT Government Response to the ACT Human Rights Commission’s Report into Bimberi and the Youth Justice System
On 18 October 2011, the ACT Government tabled its response to ‘The ACT Youth Justice System 2011: A Report to the ACT Legislative Assembly by the ACT Human Rights Commission’ in the Legislative Assembly. The ACT Government’s response to the Commission’s Report was informed by advice provided by the Youth Justice Implementation Taskforce, which has been established to take forward the recommendations of the Commission’s Report. The Taskforce will now embark on developing a ‘Blueprint for Youth Justice in the ACT’ as the key platform of the ACT Government’s response to the Commission’s Report. The Blueprint will provide the strategic direction for the development of the youth justice system over the next 5-10 years.
Bimberi Youth Justice Centre
ACT Government Response to the ACT Human Rights Commission’s Report into Bimberi and the Youth Justice System [PDF 700KB] [RTF 1MB]
ACT Human Rights Commission on Bimberi
On 29 July 2011, the ACT Human Rights Commission presented its Report into Bimberi and the broader youth justice system to the ACT Attorney General.
ACT Human Rights Commission on Bimberi
Bimberi Operations and Financial Performance Audit Internal Audit 2009-2010
The Human Rights Commission in its report, The ACT Youth Justice System 2011: a report to the ACT Legislative Assembly by the ACT Human Rights Commission published on 28 July 2011 referenced the Bimberi Operations and Financial Performance Audit Internal Audit 2009-2010 by Oakton. As a consequence it is in the public interest to make this internal audit report available to the ACT community to provide greater clarity.
Read more information on the Bimberi Operations and Financial Performance Audit Internal Audit 2009-2010
Childcare
ACT Childcare Services Standards
Guide to Children's Services in the ACT
Choosing Childcare in the ACT
Choosing the right childcare service is an important decision. When deciding what childcare option will best meet the needs of you and your child you should consider a range of options.
more information about Choosing Childcare in the ACT
Children's Policy and Regulation Newsletter
Child Protection
Keeping Children and Young People Safe [PDF 159KB] [RTF 419KB] [Designer PDF 219KB]
To obtain copies of the Keeping Children and Young People Safe publication please contact Learning and Community Education on (02) 6207 1382.
Guide to Children's Services in the ACT
Sharing responsibility: A framework for service collaboration for the care, protection and well-being of Children and Young People in the ACT [PDF 143KB]|[RTF 238KB]
Neglect Practice Paper, Policy and Practice Guidelines
Neglect Practice Paper [PDF 175KB] [RTF 2MB]
On 3 November 2010 the Minister for Children and Young People Ms Joy Burch launched the Community Services Directorate's Neglect Policy, Practice Guidelines and Practice Paper. The Neglect Practice Paper was developed specifically for use by the community sector and is an easy to use guide to defining, identifying and responding to neglect issues. The Neglect Policy and Practice Guidelines have also been developed primarily for Directorate workers but have also been made available.
These documents are based on best practice research and will be a useful resource for caseworkers, professionals, practitioners, community workers and interested community members.
The Directorate will be holding forums and training sessions for government and community service providers about neglect over the coming months.
You can request copies of the Neglect Policy and Neglect Practice Guidelines by emailing ocyfs@act.gov.au or contacting the Office of Children Youth and Family Support, the Community Services Directorate on 6207 4515 ( please leave a message if voicemail answers).
Government Reports
Review of Child Protection System Reports
Vardon Implementation
The ACT Government's Response to the Human Rights Audit of Quamby Youth Detention Centre [PDF 147KB]
They've Gotta Listen report [PDF 2.4MB]|[Word 3.5MB]
CSD's Response - They've Gotta Listen report [PDF 85KB] [RTF 2.11MB]
Towards a Diversionary Framework for the ACT
The Minister for Community Services released a Discussion Paper, Towards a Diversionary Framework for the ACT on 14 February 2011.
The Community Services Directorate undertook consultation on the Discussion Paper during March and April 2011 and the Minister for Community Services hosted a roundtable meeting. Towards a Diversionary Framework for the ACT
Written comments on the Discussion Paper were invited and closed on 15 April 2011.
ACT Review of the Emergency Response Strategy for Children in Crisis in the ACT
Launch of Young Worker’s Guide
Young People at work in the ACT: What you need to Know
This guide is designed to let young people know about their rights at work, the responsibilities of employers and who to contact for help or information.
Kinship and Foster Carers
Informal Relative Caregivers [PDF 43KB] [RTF 1.4MB]
ACT Statutory Declaration [PDF 33KB] [RTF 114Kb] (companion document to caregivers factsheet)
Centrelink Welfare to Work Requirements [PDF 4KB] [RTF 1.4MB]
Centrelink Child Care Benefits [PDF 44KB] [RTF 1.4MB]
Television advertisement text alternative [PDF 16KB] [RTF 36KB]Foster Carer Flyer [PDF 287KB] (designer version)
Foster Carers and Kinship Carers Guide [PDF 312KB] (designer version)
Legislation
Children and Young People Act 2008 For information about the Act, please refer to the Legislation page
Out of Home Care
ACT Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Out of Home Care
Good Practice for Placement planning [PDF 546KB]
Draft National Standards for Out of Home Care
The Hon Jenny Macklin MP announced the public release of the draft National Standards for Out of Home Care on 7 July 2010. Under the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 which was endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in 2009, there is a commitment to ‘develop and introduce ambitious National Standards for Out of Home Care’. Between February and May this year, national consultations were undertaken in all capital cities, and five regional locations, to inform the development of the National Standards.
Out of Home Care Agencies in the ACT will have the opportunity to discuss the Standards with Non Government Peak Bodies and ACT Government staff. The working document describes the proposed Standards and will form the basis of consultation, refinement and prioritisation. State, Territory and Federal Ministers will consider the final National Standards, measures and implementation plans in December 2010. Implementation of the National Standards will commence from July 2011.
The working document can be found at http://fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/publications-articles/national-standards-for-out-of-home-care
Should you wish to provide comment or discuss the Standards with staff from the Office for Children Youth and Family Support, please email ocyfs@act.gov.au
Young People Transitioning from Care - Community Feedback
The Discussion Paper Maximising Potential: improving life transitions for young people in care, was developed to engage the community sector and government service delivery agencies in identifying ways to improve the service provided by the Community Services Directorate.
The paper sought input from stakeholders on a proposed new model of service and aimed to generate discussion to inform the development of improved services. The consultation period on this paper closed on 30 November 2010. Seeking Community Feedback - Young People Transiting from Care
A summary of Responses to the Discussion Paper Maximising Potential: improving life transitions for young people in care and the consultation process surrounding the discussion paper, including public forums and youth focus groups, has been prepared and is available below.
Summary of Responses to the Youth Transitions Discussion Paper [PDF 177KB] [RTF 1MB]
Office for Children, Youth and Family Support Programs
Keeping Children and Young People Safe [PDF 338KB]
Schools as Communities Brochure [PDF 777KB]
Parenting
ParentLink Brochure
ParentLink Parent Guides
ParentLink quick contacts
Working with Children
Principles for Child Centred Practice [PDF 255KB]
Intercountry Adoption Brochure [PDF 8KB]
National Framework - Child Safe Organisations [PDF 670KB]
Young people at work in the ACT - What you need to know
The ACT Government is currently in the process of creating a pamphlet for young workers, to inform young people, their parents and employers about employer obligations and rights for young people in the work place. The pamphlet covers details that relate to workers under 15 and separately to workers aged between 15-17. The draft booklet is now available for consultation. Feedback on the booklet can be sent to youngworkers@act.gov.au and is due by Wednesday 8th September 2010. Please note that the draft includes content only, and does not reflect design. The design and creation of the actual booklet will follow the drafting process.
Young people at work in the ACT - What you need to know [PDF 319KB] [RTF 1,179KB]
Youth
Young People's Plan 2009-2014
ACT Young People's Plan 2009-2014 Discussion Paper [PDF 382KB] [RTF 13.9MB]
