Listening, Learning and Collaborating Through an Inclusive National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children

Abstract

The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children provides unifying policy and priorities for the 6 states and 2 territories with jurisdiction over child protection. The 2021–2030 Framework will address specific and important problems in order to achieve tangible improvements on key performance indicators. An argument is presented for adding to the Framework both principles and theoretical models to safeguard integrity in the myriad programs trialled under a public health umbrella. A public health approach will not necessarily avoid institutional pathways of oppression in child protection. Such pathways silence the voices of children, families and carers. Explicit reference is required in the Framework to principles for community engagement and to theoretical models that provide normative guidance for managing diverse harmful circumstances. Collective hope, restorative justice and responsive regulation are useful for reining in oppression, while accepting that some circumstances require the judicious use of state control.