National Coalition Update | March 2023
Dear Colleagues,
Safe and Supported briefing to members of the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing
Following the release of the Safe and Supported Action Plans on 31 January 2023, the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing will be holding a Safe and Supported briefing for members on Tuesday 28 March from 3:30pm-5:00pm (AEDT).Senior representatives of the four governance partners will discuss content of the action plans, the focus of immediate efforts and be available for general discussion & questions:
- Tim Crosier, Branch Manager, Children’s Policy, Department of Social Services (representing DSS)
- Fiona Ward, Deputy Chief Executive, Department for Child Protection, South Australian Government, (representing the States and Territories)
- Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC Voice for our Children (representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group); and
- Jamie Crosby, CEO, Families Australia (representing the National Coalition).
We encourage National Coalition members and interested parties to attend the online briefing. Register to attend via Eventbrite.
Appointment of disability expert to the steering group
The National Coalition recently held an EOI round, calling for a person with expertise in disability to join the National Coalition steering group. A robust selection process was undertaken by the Assessment Panel, who had the challenge of selecting a candidate to balance the skills and expertise of the existing steering group cohort.
We are pleased to announce that the successful candidate is Ms Amber Ward, NDIS Practice Lead for Thrive House. We welcome Amber and extend our thanks to our EOI Assessment Panel members: Deirdre Cheers, Chief Executive Officer, Banardos; Emeritus Professor Morag McArthur; and Tricia Murray, former CEO, Wanslea.
Steering group composition
Composition of the steering group for the next few years is:
| Name | Position Title | Organisation |
| Professor Leah Bromfield | Director, Australian Centre for Child Protection | University of South Australia |
| Professor Amy Conley Wright | Director, Research Centre for Children and Families | The University of Sydney |
| Dr Lauren Lines | Lecturer in Nursing | Flinders University |
| Dr Rosa Flaherty | Manager, Practice Development | National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse |
| Ms Felicity Kime | President and Peer Worker | Family Inclusion Strategies Hunter (FISH) |
| Ms Catherine Liddle | CEO | SNAICC |
| Ms Annette Michaux | Director | Parenting Research Centre |
| Mr Paul McDonald | CEO | Anglicare Victoria |
| Ms Amber Ward | NDIS Practice Lead | Thrive House |
| Mr Jamie Crosby | Convenor | National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing / CEO Families Australia. |
Not yet a National Coalition member?
You can become a member by emailing admin@familiesaustralia.org.au or visiting the National Coalition webpage at https://familiesaustralia.org.au/national-coalition/. Membership of the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing is free.
Thank you for your support and ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and families.
Regards,
Jamie Crosby
Convenor, National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing
CEO Families Australia