We have some exciting announcements this week! First up – FRSA will be holding a Child Inclusive Practice (CIP) Forum on 18-19 February 2025. The Forum will be a face-to-face event and will be held in Canberra. This year’s CIP Forum theme is Children at the Centre, and we invite abstracts for presentations from all professional domains that promote the genuine participation of children and young people and ensure their experiences and views are central in practice. The Call for Abstracts will be open until Friday 8 November. Engaging ethically and meaningfully with children and young people was the focus of our community of practice discussions over August-September. And for those delivering family law services, you’ll be aware that the recent review of the Attorney-General’s Department funded suite of family law services – the Family Relationships Services Program – has recommended that Child Inclusive Practice be specifically funded and, where safe and appropriate, be presented as an opt-out part of the Family Dispute Resolution process. The time is certainly right to bring the sector together to discuss child inclusive practice.
The second exciting piece of news is that we can confirm the location for FRSA’s 2025 National Conference. We are thrilled to announce that FRSA National Conference 2025: Safe, strong and thriving will be held from 19-22 May 2025 at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park. The Conference website will go live and the call for abstracts will open in the next week or so. So stay tuned!
This week Vanessa Lam our Communications Officer and I had the privilege of attending the National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds’ Press Club address – Help way earlier! – along with colleagues from Relationships Australia. Anne spoke to the Commission’s recently released report on how Australia can transform child justice and improve safety and wellbeing. As always, Anne’s address was passionate, articulate and clear in message about what needs to be done to ensure the wellbeing of Australia’s most vulnerable children.
Lastly, a reminder to FRSA Members that nominations for the FRSA Board close at 4pm (AEDT) on Monday, 7 October 2024.
