South Australian Current Acts

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (SAFETY) ACT 2017 - SECT 14

14—Additional functions of Minister

        (1)         In addition to any other functions the Minister may have under this Act, the Minister must, in order to promote the wellbeing of children and young people and early intervention where they may be at risk of harm—

            (a)         promote a partnership approach between the Government, local government, non-government agencies and families; and

            (b)         promote and assist in the development of co-ordinated strategies for early intervention in cases where children and young people may be at risk of harm; and

            (c)         promote, support and adequately resource evidence-based programs delivering preventative and support services directed towards strengthening and supporting families, reducing the incidence of child abuse and neglect and maximising the wellbeing of children and young people; and

            (d)         promote, encourage or undertake research into matters affecting children and young people; and

            (e)         generally do such other things as the Minister believes will promote the wellbeing of children and young people, and promote and support early intervention where they may be at risk of harm.

        (2)         Without limiting a provision of any other Act or law, the Minister must, in relation to the operation of this Act—

            (a)         collaborate with and assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop and implement strategies to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are, so far as is reasonably practicable, protected from harm; and

            (b)         ensure that education relating to the operation of section 31 is made available to persons who are required under that section to report a suspicion that a child or young person is, or may be, at risk; and

            (c)         promote and support the provision of courses of instruction relating to the prevention of child abuse and neglect by tertiary institutions in this State; and

            (d)         collect and publish statistical data in relation to the protection of children and young people in this State.

        (3)         Without limiting a preceding subsection, the Minister must also ensure that—

            (a)         assistance is provided to evidence-based programs delivering services directed towards strengthening and supporting families and maximising the wellbeing of children and young people; and

            (b)         those services are offered to children and young people and their families; and

            (c)         genuine efforts are made to encourage children and young people and their families to avail themselves of the services.