The Tasmanian Government welcomes the expansion of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare into Tasmania.
The Centre for Excellence has advocated for the rights and wellbeing of children, young people and families for over 100 years and is now the peak body for child and family services in Tasmania and Victoria.
Minister for Children and Youth, Roger Jaensch, said the Centre's arrival in Tasmania comes at a critical time, with the State undertaking unprecedented reforms in child safety and youth justice in response to the recent Commission of Inquiry.
"There is no responsibility greater than ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our children and young people. Every child deserves to be known, to feel safe, and to thrive," Minister Jaensch said.
"The Centre for Excellence's strategic goals align with our reform objectives and will help focus the efforts and energies of around 35 member organisations who work tirelessly across the State to improve outcomes for Tasmanian children and families.
"Its priorities are clear: empowering children and families, fostering cross-sector collaboration, embedding lived experience into policy and practice, and ensuring that its work remains at the forefront of innovation in child and family services.
"The Centre works with its members to uphold the rights of children and young people to be heard, to be safe, to access education and to remain connected to family, community and culture.
"From prevention and early intervention to out-of-home care, the Centre will play a pivotal role in the delivery of services and reforms across the full spectrum."
The Government's Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework, Strong Families Safe Kids, Youth Justice Blueprint and Commission of Inquiry reforms are the building blocks to system-wide improvement that is underpinned by a child-centred, outcomes-focussed approach.
The Centre for Excellence will be an important partner in this transformation, working closely with the Department for Education, Children and Young People and Tasmanian stakeholders to help navigate this new landscape.
Through the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, the Tasmanian Government is providing more support for families, children and young people and looks forward to working with the Centre for Excellence on our shared goals.
