Participants endorsed the Forum’s Terms of Reference (refer here) which have been shaped by recommendations from the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory, and the NT Government’s whole-of-system reform plan Safe, Thriving and Connected: Generational Change for Children and Families.
The Hon Dale Wakefield MLA, Minister for Territory Families, and the Hon Dr David Gillespie MP, Commonwealth Assistant Minister for Children and Families, joined Forum participants for an informal lunch followed by a discussion session.
Both Ministers indicated that they were looking forward to receiving the Forum’s advice and guidance on improving outcomes for vulnerable families in the Territory. There was strong agreement by everyone present that this required better coordination of services, a stronger focus on prevention and early and targeted support, and ensuring a leadership role for Aboriginal people in shaping the delivery of these reforms for their families and their communities.
The Forum identified a range of projects for priority attention in the short-term. These included helping to shape early work on the 10 year Generational Strategy for Children and Families and working closely with other stakeholders in co-designing the planning and implementation of the NT Government’s commitment to expand the number of Child and Family Centres from the existing six to a total of 17 over five years.
A two year rolling work plan incorporating all priorities identified by the Forum will be signed off by Forum participants at their next meeting, which is scheduled for September/October 2018 in Darwin.
Download the Communiqué PDF (810.6 KB)
