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National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing

Who We Are

The National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing is a national, non-partisan network of organisations, researchers, practitioners and advocates committed to driving system-wide transformation to improve the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in Australia.

Established in the early 2000s, the National Coalition has contributed to shaping national child protection reform, including the First National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children (2009–2020). From its inception, the National Coalition has advocated for a shared responsibility approach—recognising that child safety and wellbeing is shaped across families, communities, services, and systems.

Today, the National Coalition continues to act as a cross-sector platform for policy and practice leadership. With over 200 members, and growing, we bring together expertise across policy, research, service delivery and lived experience to support a coordinated national approach to systems change.

Our Purpose

The National Coalition comes together to strengthen Australia’s child and family systems.

We work to:

  • Drive ambitious reform to improve child safety and wellbeing outcomes in policy and practice
  • Promote prevention and early intervention approaches as a better way to support child safety and wellbeing
  • Strengthen connections between research, policy, and practice
  • Support national alignment and shared priorities across jurisdictions
  • Ensure children, young people and families remain at the centre of system design and implementation.

The National Coalition provides a trusted and respectful forum for engagement, enabling members to contribute insights, evidence, and experience supporting national policy reform undertaken by governments.

Contribution to National Policy

The National Coalition continues to play a role informing Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children (2021–2031).

Working collaboratively across sectors, the National Coalition contributes to:

  • Policy development and implementation through consultation and advice
  • Providing examples of sector and research
  • Strengthening integration of service system contact with child safety health, education, child protection, housing and justice systems
  • Promoting culturally responsive and community-led approaches, with a focus on strengthening the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

The National Coalition supports governments and the sector move beyond incremental change and crisis responses.

Governance

The National Coalition operates as an open membership network – there is no costs or pre-requisites for membership. Participation is voluntary, with members contributing their time, expertise and insights within their own available capacity. Engagement may include sharing evidence and research, contributing to consultations, participating in meetings and forums, or promoting the work and goals of the National Coalition and Safe and Supported.

The National Coalition holds an Annual Meeting. Families Australia, as the National Coalition Conveyor, provides communications and engagement activities that enable members to contribute to policy development and system reform, as well as receive updates on policy and sector developments.

Steering Commitee

The National Coalition is supported by a Steering Committee which brings together expertise from research, policy, service delivery, and lived experience. Our members are:

  • Dr Lauren Lines – Flinders University: Senior Lecturer specialising in child and family nursing and safeguarding workforce development.
  • Matthew Hall – ADFO: Disability sector leader focusing on inclusion and child safety.
  • Professor Amy Conley Wright – University of Sydney: Expert in child protection and social work research.
  • Catherine Liddle – SNAICC: CEO and national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child advocacy leader.
  • Annette Michaux – FrameWorks Institute: Social policy expert in evidence-based reform.
  • Paul McDonald – Anglicare Victoria: CEO and child welfare reform advocate.
  • Professor Leah Bromfield – University of Adelaide: Leading child protection researcher.
  • Chris Twomey – WACOSS: Policy leader in social services and system reform.
  • Felicity Kime – Family Inclusion Strategies: Lived experience advocate.

Annual Meeting Reports and Statements

2026: Download the 2026 Annual Meeting Report
2025: Download the 2025 Annual Meeting Report
2024: Download the 2024 Annual Meeting Report
2023: Download the 2023 statement on release of the Action Plan

The National Coalition e-bulletin is Families Australia’s newsletter for members of the The National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing. It provides the latest information on the group’s activities.

View previous issues

How We Work Together

The National Coalition’s focus aligns with the Safe and Supported Partnership Agreement.

We are child-centred and human rights-based

We place children and young people at the centre of our work, prioritising their rights, safety, wellbeing and advocate for their voice being heard about issues impacting them.

We focus on driving system transformation

We contribute to reform that strengthens prevention, early intervention and long-term outcomes.

We promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination

We uphold Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, support self-determination, cultural authority and community-controlled approaches. We work closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners to inform our work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan and sector voices and expertise.

We offer inclusive and accessible participation

We operate as an open, respectful network, valuing contributions from diverse sectors and communities. We recognise the importance of representing people with experience of disability and developmental delay, culturally diverse backgrounds, and LGBTIQA+ peoples. Engagement is flexible through consultation, forums and information sharing.

We value multi-disciplinary collaboration and innovation

We promote coordinated approaches across systems including child protection, health, education, housing and justice.

We promote the exchange of evidence-informed data and evidence

We bring together research, practice and lived experience to find new ways to connect the diverse support and research networks informing child safety and wellbeing.

Get Involved

Joining the National Coalition is free and easy!
Members engage in consultations, contribute to advocacy and collaborate on policy development.

Join the National Coalition

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