The Commission acknowledges the Victorian Government’s release of the Rapid Child Safety Review and its response to the recommendations. We recognise the profoundly distressing circumstances that have given rise to this important work.
It is unacceptable that children experience harm or abuse in the settings they are entrusted to, and we welcome the renewed and concerted focus on improving systems vital to keeping children safe.
We are now considering the Review and its recommendations to gain a fuller understanding of how they will address the issues we at the Commission have long identified in our advocacy for reform.
We will also take the time to work through the impacts of the changes on the role of the Commission and on our staff who work tirelessly to promote the rights, safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
We share the hope that these actions will improve and strengthen the child safety system in Victoria, and create enduring change that benefits children not only in early childhood education and care, but in all settings where they face the risk of abuse or harm.
We will continue to engage with government in whatever capacity required to support implementation of the recommendations in achieving a stronger child safety system in Victoria, ensuring children and young people are kept at the heart of delivering these reforms and that what is implemented makes a meaningful difference to children’s safety.
‘This work will be ongoing and it cannot stop with this review, as we have seen too often with past reviews, inquiries and the royal commission. We have arrived at a singular moment for the future of child safety in Australia. It must be the beginning of truly orchestrated action built on evidence, and the courage to accept and act on the flaws in our current systems,’ said Meena Singh, Victoria’s Acting Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, today.
Media contact:
Darren Lewin-Hill
0437 046 360