CEO of the Association for Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA), Maree Walk, said the Child & Family Peak Body welcomed the release of the NSW Government’s Reform Plan for transforming the Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) system in NSW.

“There are many aspects of the plan that we support,” Ms Walk said. “Increased focus on placing children with relatives or kin, improving supports for carers, prioritising health, education and other supports for children in out-of-home care, and expanding intensive home-based care models for children with complex needs are all very positive goals.”

Ms Walk appreciated the Plan’s vision for a world-class out-of-home care system that enables children to thrive in supportive, stable environments, noting that “What we really want to see is a more holistic whole-of-government, cross sector approach that draws on evidence of what’s working to keep families together to drive real change in how we respond to children and young people’s needs.”

“We’ve been through many reforms of the out-of-home care system over the years,” Ms Walk said, “but until there’s significant shift in our approach to addressing the drivers of children coming into care—poverty, housing insecurity, mental ill-health, substance misuse and domestic and family violence, we’ll continue to face challenges in providing children and young people with the support and stability they need.”

This Reform Plan outlines improvements in accountability, transparency and value for money as key aims of a reimagined out-of-home care system, with a greater role for the Department of Communities and Justice in delivering services.

Ms Walk said, “We welcome more consistent governance and accountability, and stronger partnering with the Government in the care of the state’s most vulnerable children. However, it’s important to recognise the risk that increased administration poses to case workers’ ability to do the relational work we want them to do with children and families.”

As head of the Peak Body for non-government providers of out-of-home care, Ms Walk also expressed a desire for early and clear information about the Government’s detailed plans to provide clarity for the sector, particularly in relation to ‘optimising the market mix’.

“This Plan heralds a transformation of the existing out-of-home care system,” said Ms Walk, “and we welcome the indication that Government will work with stakeholders to develop the new system and recognise the importance of genuine collaboration in the process.”

Ms Walk said “ACWA looks forward to working in partnership with the Government and Non-Government sectors to realise the Reform Plan’s bold vision for a world class out-of-home care system that enables children to thrive in supportive, stable environments, and sees recovery and restoration for more children and families.”