Submitted by crinadmin on
The Council for the Care of Children is chaired by Dr Diana Hetzel and also comprises 9 other members appointed by the South Australian Governor, and also the Chief Executives of our Departments for Health, Education and Children's Services, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, and Families and Communities. The membership includes two young people with experience of alternative care and an Aboriginal young person. The functions include: (a) keeping the Children's Protection Act and the Families and Communities Act 1972 under review (b) providing advice to the SA Government on the rights and interests of children (c) report to Government (in the form of a report card) on progress achieved towards (i) keeping children safe from harm (ii) ensuring all children are cared for in a way that allows them to fulfill their full potential (iii) improving the physical and mental health, and the emotional wellbeing of children (iv) improving access for children to educational and vocational training (v) improving access for children to sporting and recreational activities (vi) ensuring that children are properly prepared for taking their position in society as responsible citizens (vii) maintaining the cultural identity of children (d) promoting the safe care of children by their families and communities with particular reference to: (i) children in the Minister's care (ii) Aboriginal children (iii) children with disabilities (e) providing the Minister for Families and Communities with advice on: (i) creating child safe environments (ii) raising community awareness of the relationship between the needs of children for care and protection and their developmental needs (ie the whole child approach) (iii) initiatives involving the community as a whole for the protection or care of children (iv) policy issues and legislative reform necessary (v) priorities for research