The CYPSS Act formally recognises foster and kinship carers by enshrining in law the Statement of Commitment to Foster and Kinship Carers. The CYPSS Act gives legislative effect to the government’s commitment to provide the right supports for carers and responding to carers first and foremost as families who nurture children and young people in care. The Statement of Commitment recognises that we must work in partnership and value carers as an essential, respected, and equal part of the care team for children and young people.

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) already publishes and maintains a Statement of Commitment to Foster and Kinship Carers with promises to inform, support, consult, respect, and value carers. The new Statement of Commitment will focus on ensuring carers are:

• treated with dignity and respect and as valued partners
• supported through culturally safe practice and responsive practice
• provided with clear, honest and timely information
• heard, respected and actively involved in decisions that affect the children or young people in their care
• supported through fair, transparent and consistent processes.

Under the CYPSS Act, the term ‘care concerns’ will be replaced with ‘Quality of Care Reports’.

To ensure consistency and procedural fairness, section 29 of the CYPSS Act requires the publication of Quality of Care Report Guidelines. The Guidelines will clearly outline:

• The process by which a quality of care report is to be assessed
• The actions which must be taken in response to a quality of care report
• The ways in which procedural fairness is to be afforded in relation to a quality of care report
• The process by which decisions relating to quality of care reports can be reviewed (including the persons who may seek such a review).

The Care Concern Reform work has been informed by extensive consultation with carers and stakeholders.

The CYPSS Act promotes a whole‑of‑government and community approach, acknowledging that carers are part of a broader network. A recognised peak body will continue to represent carers’ interests at a systemic level, ensuring carer perspectives inform policy, practice and system improvements.