Introduction
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) is inviting organisations and agencies who have expertise in out-of-home care to submit a written response to a summary of findings from a desktop review and discussion questions about the National Out-of-Home Care Standards (National Standards).
These submissions will inform recommendations that AIFS makes to the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) and to the Safe and Supported governance bodies about updating the National Standards.
This call for submissions closes COB Monday 14 April.
About the project
The National Standards have not been updated since they were first published in 2011. This project is one part of a government commitment to update them. The aim of this project is to:
gather the views and perspectives of key stakeholders (including young people with a care experience and carers) that will inform the development of the Refreshed National Standards.
DSS has commissioned AIFS and SNAICC – National Voice for our Children to undertake consultations with key stakeholders and make recommendations on how the National Standards could be updated.
This consultation project is the first of several activities under Action 5.d.i of the Safe and Supported First Action Plan to Refresh the National Standards. This project is being conducted under the governance of the Safe and Supported Accountability and Data Working Group and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group.
Future work on Action 5d will involve updating the National Out-of-Home Care Indicators and Measures. However, this is not part of the current project.
Written submissions
This call for written submissions is the first stage in our national consultations. We are inviting organisations and agencies with expertise in out-of-home care to submit responses to the discussion questions below.
We are seeking submissions from:
- state, territory and Australian government agencies
- out-of-home care service providers (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations [ACCOs])
- national, state and territory ACCO peak bodies
- national, state and territory peak bodies and advocacy groups for young people in care and carers
- Children’s Commissioners and Guardians
- key expert stakeholders (e.g. academics working in this field).
As part of this form, we have included some high-level discussion and summary findings from the desktop review about the National Standards, as well as standards, principles, rights and frameworks across Australia.
You can download the full discussion and questions here.
Other consultation activities
AIFS and SNAICC are working together to undertake a range of consultation activities. In the coming months, consultations will also be conducted with:
- young people with a care experience, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
- foster, kinship and other family-based carers, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and leaders
- other key stakeholders.
For more information or if you have any questions about the project, you can:
The existing National Out-of-Home Care Standards
The full version of the existing National Standards can be found here.
The National Standards (and related indicators and measures) were developed as a priority project under the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020. The National Standards were published in July 2011 and have never been revised.
The National Standards were designed to encourage the delivery of consistent and quality care to children and young people in out-of-home care across all Australian states and territories. The National Standards, and associated measures and reporting mechanisms, were also designed to encourage quality improvement of out-of-home care and supports.
The National Standards consist of 13 standards in the areas of:
- health
- education
- care planning
- connection to family
- culture and community
- transition from care
- training and support for carers
- belonging and identity
- safety, stability and security.
These domains were identified as aspects of care that can contribute to positive outcomes for children and young people.
The National Standards document also outlines a set of principles to be considered along with standards.
Discussion and consultation questions
This section summarises the findings from a review of research and publicly available documents that relate to the National Standards, as well as standards, principles, rights and frameworks across Australia.
We are seeking your feedback on 12 questions related to the following themes:
- Purpose of updated National Standards
- The existing National Out-of-Home Care Standards and key outcome areas
- Children and young people’s rights
- Priority population groups
- Principles and values
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP)
- Other existing policies and frameworks
