Rebuilding a system that genuinely serves the needs of children

24 July 2025

CEO Update

The government’s commitment in the recent budget to improving the child protection system is to be commended. On paper, the NSW Government’s funding commitment is transformative, with a $1.2 billion package allocated to a broad sweep of initiatives, including new funding for caseworkers, new residential homes, and a 20 per cent increase to foster care allowances.

Out-of-home care (OOHC) has been chronically underfunded, and these measures will help stabilise the system following years of emergency placements and workforce shortages.

But I have questions, particularly around early intervention and prevention.

The truth is that for many years, the out-of-home care system has not provided consistent, reliable and positive support for children and families. Each time the system fails a child, there are lifetime, and sometimes intergenerational, consequences to these failures.

A pile of reports have documented the failure of the system to meet the needs of the state's most vulnerable children. Our members go above and beyond to serve children and families in their communities despite the challenges, and it has been a difficult road for them to read report after report and then witness no action to change and better support the kids of NSW.

These reports provided us with clear ways to improve the system, but without action, they are just words on a page. To genuinely reform the out-of-home care system in NSW, we need long-term and comprehensive policy and process change accompanied by a genuine increase in investment, which recognises the critical role many NCOSS members play in supporting child safety.

At Mirrung, the wellbeing hub based in Ashcroft Public School in Southwestern Sydney, where NCOSS works with the local school community, we work directly with children and families experiencing the system. Sadly, we see a system that lacks transparency and often feels superficial and piecemeal in the way that it deals with kids and their families.

The out-of-home care system is not well-connected to other parts of the system, like education and health, and is better at treating the symptoms of trauma rather than the trauma itself. 

Another important investment was announced in residential care. The budget allocates funding for purpose-built or upgraded residential care homes for children with complex needs, addressing a critical gap in the system. The sites for these care homes have not been finalised, and it will be essential to choose areas that ensure regional children have access, as well as those living in the city. 

The government's commitment to improve this system is admirable and should be celebrated. It is the most significant investment into baseline funding to this system in decades. But even with the best of intentions and a concerted effort, it is a long journey to unpick and rebuild a system that genuinely serves the needs of children and their families.  

Many of the previous reports have highlighted a lack of accountability and ineffective oversight within the OOHC system, and it is crucial to ensure that the increased funding is used effectively and transparently. 

That's why we must remain vigilant to ensure that the changes made actually improve outcomes for children. The system must put the interests of children and young people at the centre of everything we do, which means supporting their families as well as them. 

If we don’t address the root causes of child protection issues, including poverty and underlying drivers of trauma, then there will never be sufficient funding to keep our children safe.

NCOSS spoke with John Leha, CEO of AbSec about community control in out-of-home care.

Tell us about the work you do?

AbSec is a network of about 24 Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, out-of-home care providers, offering support to hundreds of young people across the state, through targeted earlier intervention, family preservation, fostering and residential care. I’ve been CEO for the last four years, prior to this working in government and the community sector.

What are the origins of community control?

Community control principles emerged from the land rights movement in the 1970s, anchored around the idea of self-determination. That saw the creation of Aboriginal land councils, legal services and health services. The idea of community control recognises the unique perspective of those with lived experience to construe, ensure and safeguard culture practices and linked to country, as central to the needs of Indigenous people.

How do these principles apply to out-of-home care?

We draw on the extended kinship networks that sustain our communities which is something that can’t be outsourced to external organisations. We rely heavily on the experience of Aboriginal practitioners who can contextualise practise and tailor it to the particular needs of an individual child and supporting family. This can include understanding kinship, finance, drug and alcohol, violence and broader issues like the impact of colonisation. Put simply, these challenges will be better understood and nuanced when they are informed by the community facing them.

Do you feel supported by the NSW Government in your work?

It's fair to say the NSW Government understands the need for self-determination and is guided by the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. But there are parts of this approach that sometimes seem lost in translation as the government tries to steward a system it knows is broken.

In the recent budget you can see this tension between trying to bolster the current broken system by increasing funding to the government’s own systems and staffing and leaving little room for innovation. For example, there is no new money in restoring children back to their kinship networks. History shows us removal does not provide a solution; the Stolen Generation told us that.

What is an example of the innovation you would like to see?

We think there can be better ways of deciding whether to remove a child from their family and giving Aboriginal leaders a greater role in the formal decision-making. The current model is focussed on providing safety from community rather than safety within community. If we can get these models right, we create community connections with the child for life; not just a transaction with a service provider driven by program funding. If you really root care in community, the Uncle or Aunty who worked with you in the service will always be looking out for you.

Finally if you were the Minister what would you do?

I’d be backing in Aboriginal-led solutions; shifting resources into targeted early family investment even before the need to intervene. It’s all connected: poverty, housing, the things all vulnerable families face. I would not keep on beating a dead horse. We can’t deny that these issues have historical contexts. The child protection system was built to address risk by removal; but when you remove a child, the poverty still remains.

We are looking for young people to join the NSW Council of Social Service First Nations Partners and Advisors Group (PAG).

NCOSS is uniquely placed to work together with community sector organisations, government, business and other stakeholders to strive for a more equitable and inclusive society.

Now more than ever, NCOSS is committed to being a stronger ally to First Nations peoples and communities, and to embed First Nations perspectives, voices, and research in our work.

The First Nations Partners and Advisors Group (PAG) was created in 2022 as part of NCOSS’s Reconciliation Action Plan, to challenge NCOSS to do more to support First Nations communities in their fight for self-determination and justice. NCOSS is now looking to refresh the role of the PAG and grow its membership.

We would love to hear from young people across the state who would like a chance to help drive NCOSS’ priorities and actions and influence policymakers in the community sector and government. People with a disability, living in regional and remote areas, members of the LGBTQIASB+ community are encouraged to apply.

In acknowledgement of the expertise that members bring, PAG members are remunerated for their attendance and collaboration, and reciprocity will be at the heart of our way of working with the PAG.

If you are interested and would like to discuss this further, please email Michelle Shackleton michelle@ncoss.org.au or call 0402 013 597.

Do you work for a non-government organisation and want to know more about Parliamentary Inquiries, so that you can participate and influence policy?

NCOSS is holding a workshop at NSW Parliament House, designed for people working in policy, advocacy or management in the New South Wales community sector.

The next workshop is being held on 6 August 2025 @ 8:30am-1:00pm.

The emphasis will be on practical tips for effective advocacy and participation, including:

Parliamentary committees and the inquiry process
Using inquiries strategically
A parliament committee member's perspective: what inquiries achieve, what makes a good submission, what makes an effective witness
How to write effective submissions
The hearing process and tips for witnesses

Register here. Spaces are limited and a waitlist will be opened once capacity has been reached. Another workshop will be held in October. If you are on the waitlist, we'll give you notice when registrations open for the next workshop.

Have you used the Child Dental Benefit Schedule to access dental care for your child? Or has your child been admitted to hospital for a condition related to their teeth that wasn't picked up earlier?

NCOSS is looking for people who would be happy to talk to the media about their experience accessing dental care for their children.

Dental conditions are now the leading cause of preventable hospitalisations in NSW. NCOSS is researching how much these preventable hospital visits costs the NSW health system. Our aim is to create broader awareness of the Child Dental Benefit Schedule and improve access to oral health prevention.

Sharing your experience will help our research reach a wider audience and strengthen our advocacy to the NSW Government. In acknowledgement of your time and expertise, NCOSS offers remuneration and support for people sharing their lived experience with the media.

Please get in touch with Elyse at elyse@ncoss.org.au by 29 July.

The NSW Government has significantly weakened the rules surrounding evictions for renovations and repairs.

New 'no grounds eviction' rules introduced on 19th May 2025 required landlords who wanted to evict a tenant for significant renovations/repairs to provide both a written statement and evidence such as a quote from a licensed builder or tradesperson, development consent, or receipts for purchased building materials.

On 20th June the NSW government removed those additional evidence requirements, leaving only a written statement as the evidence required when seeking termination to renovate the premises.

This sudden change occurred without consultation, published evidence of the need for the amendment, or a warning to those affected – leading tenants’ rights advocates to raise serious concerns about the integrity of the entire reform process.

Take action now - The NSW Tenants' Union has launched a petition calling on the Government to return to the original rules.
You can also write to your MP and write to the Minister.

AbSec is establishing a Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee to support strategic direction and elevate their influence in public affairs.

This Subcommittee will provide advice to the AbSec Board on emerging policy priorities, grounded in lived experience and sector knowledge. It will meet at least three times a year, with flexibility for urgent matters.

We’re inviting expressions of interest from:

ACCO leaders and managers
Aboriginal researchers or academics
Aboriginal young people and adults with lived experience of the child protection system.

To express interest, send a short summary (max. 500 words) outlining your experience, interest, and what you’d bring to the role to policy@absec.org.au.

For more information, contact Caitlin Parker at Caitlin.parker@absec.org.au via email at (02) 9128 6845.

The Office of Responsible Gambling is running an open Request for Tender for service providers for the ten GambleAware regions in NSW from 1 July 2026.

Providers will be funded to deliver free, confidential gambling and financial counselling services throughout NSW for all people affected by gambling harm. Support will be offered face-to-face, online and via telephone. Providers will also be required to offer peer support and perform community engagement activities.

The RFT closes on Fri 22 August at 3pm

To view the RFT please visit GambleAware Support Services - RFT-2008410 | buy.nsw

NCOSS is proud to have joined the campaign to minimise gambling harm in NSW. We know in our sector that under-regulated gambling makes existing problems worse and creates new distress and difficulties. For us to do our work more effectively, we understand that reducing poker machine losses from $1million an hour will lead to better outcomes for our clients and communities.

To be more effective, we encourage all our affiliates to join the campaign – smaller, place-based services bring a perspective to discussions with decision makers that can be more powerful than submissions from peaks.

Please contact the campaign leaders at Wesley Mission by emailing Rev Stu Cameron or Campaigns Lead, Kate da Costa at gambling.reform@wesleymission.org.au - there’s no fee to join, and you can choose your level of engagement. Simply signing on and sending a logo will help bring us all closer to success.

Individuals can also support the campaign by signing up at Pokies You’re Being Played.

Supporting Placement Stability for Children in Out of Home Care
FACSIAR
29 July, Online
Free | Register here

In this webinar, Dr Nafisa Asif, Senior Researcher in FACSIAR and Dr Fred Wulczyn, Director for the Center for State-Child Welfare Data USA, will present findings from the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study (POCLS).

The analysis looks at the impact of placement stability on children, their development and wellbeing and factors that can enhance the stability of placements. They will be joined by DCJ staff who will discuss practices to encourage placement stability and enhance carer support and satisfaction.

Online Dangers and Real-World Harm

LEAD Professional Development

30 July, online
Free | Register here

As a practitioner in the community sector, staying informed about emerging and complex forms of harm is critical.

This practical one-hour webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools to recognise, respond to, and support children, young people, and families affected by two serious and growing threats: sextortion and modern-day slavery.

Facilitated by Mathew Fallon, Human Exploitation Community Officer Crime Command.

Supporting Neurodivergent Young People Using Violence in the Home
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
30 July, Online
$260 | Register here

Supporting neurodivergent young people using violence in the home requires a specialised, therapeutic approach—one recognising their unique needs while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their families.

This three-hour interactive training is designed to equip professionals with the skills and strategies needed to work effectively in these complex situations.

Building Strong Foundations: Housing First Approaches for NSW
Homelessness NSW
7 August, Sydney
$50 | Register here

As part of Homelessness Week 2025, Homelessness NSW is hosting a special event focused on strengthening Housing First approaches across our sector.

This event will explore how informal alliances, local systems, and culturally-adapted models are supporting more effective responses to complex homelessness — especially in regional and Aboriginal contexts.

Building Digital Skills Grant – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities
Closing Date: 1 August 2025

Building Digital Skills grants help organisations to support older Australians aged 50+ through free digital mentoring sessions. A range of resources and support materials are available to help organisations to deliver this program, including the learning courses available on the Be Connected learning site.

This round of Building Digital Skills grants is for organisations supporting older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be connected.

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant
Closing Date: 30 September 2025

The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant adopts a number of strategies to develop and support Aboriginal people through the creation of training and employment opportunities.

Promoting diversity, innovation and service responsiveness in the NSW workforce, the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant subsidises the salary, development and support costs of Aboriginal employees in public service agencies, local government authorities and Aboriginal community controlled organisations.

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

Penrith Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant
Closing Date: 25 July 2025

The Safe Communities – Domestic and Family Violence Grant funds primary prevention initiatives that target the underlying drivers of domestic and family violence.

Applicants must:   

provide services or be located in the Penrith LGA and deliver initiatives in the Penrith LGA that benefit Penrith residents.  
be a not-for-profit organisation that is incorporated or have evidence of auspice from an incorporated organisation with an ABN.

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

Some of the latest from our Jobs Board:

Policy and Engagement Officer (Sydney) Council On The Ageing (NSW) - VIEW JOB

Operations Manager (Sydney CBD) Detour House Inc - VIEW JOB

Director - Policy, Research and Communications (Sydney CBD) LGBTIQ+ Health Australia - VIEW JOB

Financial Counsellor (Sydney CBD) University of Sydney - VIEW JOB

Policy Officer – Energy and Water Justice (Sydney CBD) Justice and Equity Centre - VIEW JOB

Targeted Earlier Intervention Caseworker (Inner City Sydney) Weave - VIEW JOB

Events Officer (Sydney CBD) - NCOSS - VIEW JOB

Communications Coordinator (Sydney CBD) LGBTIQ+ Health Australia - VIEW JOB