Territory Families is calling on all NT communities to recognise the role they play in protecting vulnerable children this National Child Protection Week, 3 – 9 September.
Chief Executive Officer, Ken Davies, said the key to making meaningful changes to the welfare of children and young people is through prevention and early intervention; well before the situation is escalated to the child protection system.
“As part of this, Territory Families is working on improving early intervention and support services for NT children and their families, and is developing a longer-term Child Safety and Wellbeing Strategy alongside NAPCAN, the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
“We are also supporting our non-government service delivery partners to build capacity by rolling out the NT government’s commitment to extending funding from one to five years.”
“In line with this, Territory Families is committed to working more closely with Aboriginal organisations and communities to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children. In East Arnhem Land, we have been working with local Aboriginal elders on a range of child protection initiatives, and this week the group will be presenting two ’Deadly Parent of the Year’ awards at special ceremonies in Yirrkala and Ski Beach.”
Mr Davies said that National Child Protection Week is an important annual event that acts as reminder of how we, as Australians, can make a difference in keeping children and young people safe from violence, abuse and neglect.
“As the Northern Territory’s lead agency responsible for supporting families, strengthening communities and protecting vulnerable children, Territory Families has an important role in helping to empower communities to take action against child abuse and neglect at a local level.”
Territory Families was proud to be actively partnering and participating in a wide range of activities across the Northern Territory during National Child Protection Week, he added.
“This week, Territory Families has once again partnered with NAPCAN to host the annual National Child Protection Week Breakfast in Darwin tomorrow.
“This event will include special guest speaker Dr Tim Moore from the Australian Catholic University’s Institute of Child Protection Studies and a presentation of the NAPCAN ‘Play Your Part’ Award for Outstanding Prevention Initiative in the NT.”
Territory Families staff across the NT will also be organising and participating in a range of special events throughout the week. In Alice Springs, they will be supporting the Central Australian NAPCAN breakfast. Meanwhile, in Nhulunbuy, they will be assisting NAPCAN to deliver a special 7 Steps to Safety Workshop on Wednesday, as well as hosting a stall at the local markets on Saturday.
Media contact: Christine Bond 8999 2940, 0475 953 571.