As the peak body for child protection service providers, the AGM was an opportunity to reflect on progress and challenges over the past year and discuss upcoming directions for the sector.

Minister for Child Protection Rachel Sanderson provided opening comments, reflecting on the work of the state government and the department over the past 12 months and her vision for a collaborative approach to child safety moving forward.

Representatives from the Department for Child Protection also attended the meeting, with Fiona Ward (Deputy Chief Executive) and Karen McAuley (Director, Commissioning, Performance and Disability) presenting on the soon-to-be-released ‘Children and Young People in Care Strategy’. The presentation outlined key action areas from the strategy, which has been developed in consultation with CAFFSA and its members.

CAFFSA Chief Executive Officer Rob Martin said that it was useful for members to hear how the department’s strategy will be implemented over the coming 3 years.

“It is always useful to hear from our partners and colleagues within the department on progress towards those high-level strategies that seek to improve outcomes for children and young people in care in South Australia,” Mr Martin said.

“The strategy represents an opportunity for continued, deep collaboration between the non-government sector and the department to improve the wellbeing of the children for whom we are all responsible.”

Members at the AGM also appointed a new Board of Directors for 2020:

• Nancy Penna, AnglicareSA
• Kerry Court, Uniting Country SA
• Craig Rigney, KWY Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Services
• Susan Richards, Aboriginal Family Support Services
• Linley Shine, Centacare Catholic Country SA
• Leanne Haddad, Centacare Catholic Family Services
• Shane Maddocks, ac.care
• Claire Ralfs, Relationships Australia South Australia.