An outline of National Standards for out-of-home care (2011)

A Priority Project under the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009 - 2020

• Introduction
• Protecting children is everyone's business
• Why do children come into out-of-home care?
• What is out-of-home care?
• How many Australian children experience out-of-home care?
• Why develop National Standards?
• What do the National Standards cover?
• Voices of children and young people
• People caring for children and young people
• Overarching principles for National Standards for out-of-home care
• National Standards for out-of-home care
• Measuring and reporting on the National Standards
• How data will be developed and collected
• Reporting on National Standards
• Attachment A
• Attachment B
• List of terms

Introduction

All Australian children and young people have the right to be safe, receive loving care, and have access to the services and support that will give them the chance to reach their potential later in life.

Some families may not have the capacity or strength to provide a stable and caring home environment. This can prevent vulnerable children and young people from receiving the protection, safety and support they deserve.

In these cases, children and young people live in accommodation outside their family homes so that they can receive the support and services they need, in safe and stable environments.

The National Standards for out-of-home care have been designed to deliver consistency and drive improvements in the quality of care provided to children and young people. The 13 National Standards focus on the key factors that directly influence better outcomes for those living in out-of-home care.

The measurement of and reporting on outcomes is a major feature of the refining and improving of the National Standards over the long term.

Evidence shows that the experiences and quality of care received in out-of-home care can be critical to determining whether a child or young person can recover from the effects of trauma and are more able to access opportunities in life.

The National Standards are an initiative of all governments – the Australian Government and state and territory governments – and is one of 12 priority projects as part of the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009–2020.

Government and non-government organisations, including the Coalition of Organisations Committed to the Safety & Wellbeing of Australia's Children, have worked together to bring about this key, early action under the National Framework.

The National Framework, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in April 2009, provides an agenda for developing consistent, shared and long-term goals and responsibilities across governments. It also engages the non-government sector and the broader community at a national level.