Stronger laws to keep Territory children safe
New laws will strengthen the Northern Territory’s child protection system, with a stronger focus on children’s safety, earlier support for families and greater stability for children in care.
The Northern Territory Government’s Every Child Matters reforms make significant changes to the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 and strengthen support for children, families and carers across the child protection system.
The reforms cover 7 key areas, including clearer principles for decisions about children’s safety and best interests, stronger child placement principles, proactive efforts to support families earlier, clearer timeframes for children in short-term care, Family Responsibility Agreements and Orders, stronger participation for children and carers in court, and Working with Children Check reforms.
The changes aim to support families earlier and keep children safely at home wherever possible.
When children cannot safely remain at home, the reforms strengthen efforts towards safe reunification and provide greater stability and certainty about their future.
Implementation will occur in stages. We will continue to work with staff, children and families, carers, government agencies, Aboriginal organisations, courts, legal services and other sector and service partners as the reforms are introduced.
Find out more about the Every Child Matters reforms, including commencement information and factsheets on each of the key changes, on the Every Child Matters.
