Child Protection Reform Through Early Intervention Investment

Allies for Children advocate to advance greater investment in early intervention and restoration models in state child protection systems.

The best place for children to be raised and for their identity and potential to be nurtured, is with their family and kin. Today, child protection systems are oriented towards the removal of children with the bulk of investment therefore in protective intervention services.

Recommendation 16 of the National Child and Family Investment Strategy, in the 2022-23 Budget is to prioritise investment in prevention and early intervention programs and supports, identified by evidence and knowledge from community-led organisations, targeting the most vulnerable children and families. The roadmap titled ‘Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2022-23’ calls for focus on systems and services that prioritise resourcing,  strengthening and supporting families to stay safe together.

Yet, investment in early intervention within the child protection system is largely and disproportionately directed into crisis supports.

Allies for Children believes state jurisdictions, communities and the sector can work together to  reorientate funding for the child and family support system to more effective, tailored and coordinated prevention and early intervention services and supports, however urges state governments to recognise that further investment is necessary.

The Reality

21%

of these children were aged under 5 years.

36.4k

children aged less than 18 years commenced intensive family support services in 2020-21.

$9.4b

was spent across Australia in 2022-23 on child protection services, with 63.1 per cent or $5.9 billion directed towards downstream out-of-home care and supported placements.

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