The Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997 (Act No.28/1997) came into effect on 1 July 2000. Together with the Youth Justice Act 1997, which commenced in 1999, this legislation brought about significant changes in the delivery of care and protection and youth justice services in Tasmania.
According to Ombudsman Tasmania (2004), the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act takes a multidisciplinary approach. The object of the Act is 'to provide for the care and protection of children in a manner that maximizes the child's opportunity to grow up in a safe and stable environment and to reach his or her full potential.' (Part 1, Section 7)
Planning for this Act began in 1976. That year the Advisory Council agreed that the proposed act should consider the child in the context of their families and communities.
1863 - 1867 Industrial Schools Act 1863
1867 - 1896 Industrial Schools Act 1867
1875 - 1896 Destitute Children Act 1875
1875 - 1918 Juvenile Offenders Act 1875
1896 - 1918 Youthful Offenders, Destitute and Neglected Children's Act 1896
1905 - 1918 Youthful Offenders Destitute and Neglected Children's Amendment Act 1905
1895 - 1936 Prevention of Cruelty to and Better Protection of Children Act 1895
1918 - 1936 The Children of the State Act 1918
1935 - 1961 Infants' Welfare Act 1935
1960 - 2003 Child Welfare Act 1960
2000 - Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997
Sources used to compile this entry: Department of Social Welfare: report for the year ended 30 June 1976, Department of Social Welfare, Hobart, 1976, 20 pp; Ombudsman Tasmania, Listen to the children: Review of claims of abuse from adults in state care as children, Office of the Ombudsman, Tasmania, Hobart, November 2004. Also available at https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1382077009/view. p.60..
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 12 January 2011, Last modified: 9 October 2015