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Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) Northern Territory Cross Sector Orientation Workshop

Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) Northern Territory Cross Sector Orientation Workshop Thursday 25 May 2017. Role of the OCC. Our Core Business Enquiries and complaints Investigate issues affecting vulnerable children Monitor reform and legislative issues

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Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) Northern Territory Cross Sector Orientation Workshop

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  1. Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) Northern Territory Cross Sector Orientation Workshop Thursday 25 May 2017

  2. Role of the OCC Our Core Business • Enquiries and complaints • Investigate issues affecting vulnerable children • Monitor reform and legislative issues • Influence legislation, policies and programs • Promote awareness Underpinning our core business is our Vision - Children and young people in the Northern Territory are safe and well

  3. Best Interest = Rights Focussed Promote systems that are focussed on the best interests of our children... Child rights are the foundation of children’s best interests. Best interest/rights-based focus ensures more effective decision making.

  4. Public Health Approach Early investment in the health, education and wellbeing to address issues at an early age to prevent social and health problems developing later on. Public health approach to address the needs of our children, vulnerable or not.

  5. NT Child Protection Context In 2015-16 the total notifications received were 20,465 • 20% increase in the number of notifications (17,032 to 20,465) with 78% Aboriginal children; • Police remain the highest notifiers - 16% increase from 2014-15 (7,010 to 8,108); • Neglect notifications account for 43% of the total substantiated notifications (increase from 40% in 2014-15); (2015-16 Children’s Commissioner NT Annual Report)

  6. NT Out of Home Care Context As at 30 June 2016 there were 1,020 children in OoHC • NT has the highest placement rate nationally (16.0 per 1,000 children, compared to 8.1 nationally); • 2% increase in children in OoHC placements (997 to 1,020 children) – 89% (908) are Aboriginal children – 35% placed with Aboriginal carers; • Placement rate for Aboriginal children in the NT is low (33.4 per 1,000 children, compared to 52.5 per 1,000 nationally); • 11% of children in care have a recorded disability ; (2015-16 Children’s Commissioner NT Annual Report)

  7. System Aspects Requiring Focus and Reform The following key principles and issues were highlighted following ongoing OCC observations.

  8. Differential Response System Lower-risk families referred to appropriate generalist support services - as opposed to being subjected to statutory intervention.

  9. Over-Representation of Aboriginal Children and Young People Program considerations: • Family Decision Making • Aboriginal Specialist Advice and Interpreters • Support and Training • Leaving Care/Detention Support

  10. Thank you Nicole ButlerAssistant Commissioner Office of the Children's Commissioner Northern Territory Government p...(08) 8999 1905e... nicole.butler@nt.gov.auwww.childrenscommissioner.nt.gov.au

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