Community Services Ministers also met on Kaurna Country in Adelaide on 8 March 2024.
As part of this meeting, Community Services Ministers discussed progress on the Forced Adoption joint work program since July 2023, which included conducting surveys about Forced Adoption Support Services in each state and territory to better understand the current and changing needs of persons impacted by past forced adoption policies and practices.
Ministers supported continued engagement and cooperation in 2024 with a focus on comprehensive mapping of the experiences and supports for impacted people, cooperation on records and information access, and establishing an annual focal point for reflection, healing and awareness (National/Commemorative day).
Ministers agreed to collaborate with Health Ministers through relevant Health Departments on increasing health checks for First Nations children in out-of-home care. Ministers also agreed to refer this to the Safe and Supported Shared Decision-Making Committee, which incorporates the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group and Community Services Ministers, for further consideration.
Ministers also discussed the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse (National Centre) and the progress of the Jurisdictional Officials Working Group. Ministers agreed to consider an Options Paper on funding and governance arrangements for the National Centre out-of-session and will report back at the next CSM meeting.
Lastly, Ministers discussed progress to finalise the Early Years Strategy, including the results of consultations held directly with children and their families, and the importance of centring children and their families in the development of the Strategy.