Communities and Justice

Putting children first at the 2022 Child Protection Legal Conference

25 May 2022

The wellbeing of Children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth will be the key focus of conversation at this year’s Child Protection Legal Conference at the International Convention Centre in Sydney from 26-27 May.

Hundreds of legal experts, social workers and researchers will attend to hear about current issues and best practice in child protection.

The conference is jointly hosted by the NSW Children’s Court, Legal Aid NSW, the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the program reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to keep children at the centre of child protection law and practice.

“The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a priority for the NSW Government. We are working hard to support and protect the most vulnerable people in our community,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

"The NSW Government is committed to improving services and support for Aboriginal children and young people and keep families together, where it is safe to do so. To do this we need to make sure we pursue practical solutions which put Aboriginal people at the centre of decision-making.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said Closing the Gap for Aboriginal youth is a priority for the NSW Government.

“We are working with Aboriginal communities to empower young people and provide them with greater services and support to strengthen the outcomes for their future,” Mr Franklin said.

Brendan Thomas, DCJ’s Deputy Secretary of Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes said the theme of this year’s conference is My Life, My Culture – Our Future.

“We have a real impact on the safety and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care, especially vulnerable Aboriginal children”, Brendan Thomas, DCJ’s Deputy Secretary of Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes said.

“It is imperative that we improve our engagement with Aboriginal communities and work on building positive relationships with them.”

Mr Thomas will be leading conference sessions on Meaningful Change for First Nations Families. He will be assisted by the President of the Children’s Court, Her Honour Judge Ellen Skinner, and Acting CEO Legal Aid NSW, Monique Hitter.

“The conference reflects a commitment to improving outcomes for the children, young people and families who come before the Children’s Court,” Judge Skinner said.

“To bring about meaningful change to the child protection system, Legal Aid NSW recognises we need to put children and families at the centre and ensure that they have a voice and can participate fully in decisions impacting on their future”, Ms Hitter said.

This year, the conference takes place on National Reconciliation week and National Sorry Day.

To mark this important day, conference attendees are invited to join the special Welcome to Country at the ICC on 26 May at 8am where the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council will be present to commemorate this custom.

Last updated:

25 May 2022