Australia has the highest rate of child removals in the world with the prevalence of child abuse, neglect and trauma still on an alarming rise. Indigenous children are 9.5 times more likely to be removed by child protection authorities than non-Indigenous children.

Recent review and reform of the child protection system has focused on creating an integrated service system, incorporating Indigenous knowledge and culture into service delivery, enhancing collaboration, implementing prevention and intervention models and developing appropriate pathways for children’s future.

Third Sector’s 5th National Child Protection Forum 2022 will focus on developing strategies to respond to the pressure of demand at the “front end” of child protection services, deliver quality out-of-home care, support children who have undergone trauma or experienced a traumatic event and provide staff with the tools necessary to perform their respective roles.