Secretary’s foreword

We all play a part

There is truth in the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’

The wellbeing and protection of children and young people in NSW is the shared responsibility of parents and families, supported by government and non-government organisations and the community as a whole.

The NSW Government values the vital contribution that the non-government sector makes to delivering child wellbeing and protection services in NSW.

Collaborative Practice in Child Wellbeing and Protection: NSW Interagency Guidelines for Practitioners 2021 replaces the Child Wellbeing and Child Protection NSW Interagency Guidelines 2012.

These revised Interagency Guidelines provide key information and guidance on child wellbeing and protection to assist interagency partners to work collaboratively to help meet the safety, welfare and wellbeing needs of children and young people.

Just as child wellbeing and protection is a shared responsibility, the revised Interagency Guidelines have been developed in partnership with government and non-government agencies and peak organisations.

Working in partnership with families and each other is essential to achieving better outcomes for children, young people and families in NSW.

This resource is a living document. It will continue to be reviewed and updated to ensure its information is current and reflects best practice.

I recommend the Collaborative Practice in Child Wellbeing and Protection: NSW Interagency Guidelines for Practitioners 2021 to you as a guide to delivering child wellbeing and protection services in NSW.

I thank everyone who has contributed to these Guidelines. Our work is strongest when it is collaborative.

We all play a part and together we can have a positive impact on the lives of children, young people, families and communities.

Michael Coutts-Trotter
Secretary
NSW Department of Communities and Justice