The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children was endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in April 2009. It sets out a plan to ensure the safety and well being of Australian children and to reduce levels of abuse and neglect. It is a long term project with a finish date in 2020. Goals are to be achieved through three-year plans.
The National Framework states that:
Australia needs to move from seeing ‘protecting children’ merely as a response to abuse and neglect to one of promoting the safety and wellbeing of children.
According to the website:
The National Framework outlines six supporting outcomes and provides details about how each of these outcomes will be achieved. The six supporting outcomes are:
- Children live in safe and supportive families and communities.
- Children and families access adequate support to promote safety and intervene early.
- Risk factors for child abuse and neglect are addressed. Children who have been abused or neglected receive the support and care they need for their safety and wellbeing.
- Indigenous children are supported and safe in their families and communities.
- Child sexual abuse and exploitation is prevented and survivors receive adequate support.
These outcomes are to be achieved by adopting the Public Health Model. This approach to social policy emphasises prevention of child abuse and neglect through a three tiered system. Firstly, universal supports such as health and education benefit all children. Secondary supports are more intensive, and finally, as a last resort, the tertiary phase involves the removal of a child from the family.