Get Involved
CAFFSA Committees, Networks and Working groups
Child and Family Focus SA (CAFFSA) amplifies the voices of children, young people, and families involved in the family support and child protection sectors. We support and represent the not-for-profit organisations dedicated to protecting and nurturing children, young people, families and caregivers in our community.
Get in Touch
0473 617 782
info@childandfamily-sa.org.au
Amplifying Voices
We give voice to children, young people, and families who need it most.
CAFFSA Policy and Advocacy Committee
The Policy and Advocacy Committee is currently chaired by Amalie Mannik from Centacare. Member agency representatives contribute to sector wide policy development and advocacy efforts that direct, influence and inform changes in government policy, practice and legislation and assist CAFFSA to further the organisation’s advocacy role as the state’s peak body for non-government and ACCO child protection and family support services.
Terms of Reference
Broadly, the Policy and Advocacy Committee provides input, feedback and advice on whole-of-sector policy issues and policy problems and assists in the development of advocacy strategies and proposed policy outcomes. It assists in shaping whole of sector policy advice to government in the domains of child protection, child development, family support, prevention and early intervention and ensures policy positions are aligned to best practice and are evidence based.
CAFFSA Co-Convened Meetings
CAFFSA co-convenes and co-chair a range of forums with the Department for Child Protection.
We are committed to working in partnership with government stakeholders and ensuring that collaboration and problem-solving feature strongly in all of our discussions with our colleagues within DCP.
Our Organisation offers a range of meetings, forums and working groups for members to participate in.
For more information or to nominate email us at: admin@childandfamily-sa.org.au
CAFFSA / DCP Executive Meeting
The DCP – CAFFSA Executive Forum was first convened in order to bridge discussions between the Department for Child Protection (DCP) and the non-government sector which is funded to deliver residential and out-of-home care services for children and young people in care. The DCP – CAFFSA Executive Forum comprised of the DCP Executive Team and the CAFFSA Board, CEO and Deputy CEO.
The forum’s Terms of Reference provide for robust discussion around issues and challenges facing the entire sector, government and non-government alike. It allows CAFFSA an opportunity to engage in solutions-focussed negotiation with our DCP colleagues, and also provides an opportunity to identify issues of joint strategic importance and areas for further collaboration, cooperation and partnership.
Residential Care Taskforce
The CAFFSA and the DCP co-convened Residential Care Taskforce is focused on developing a sector wide approach to building capacity to deliver safe quality residential and supported independent living services to meet demand and individual needs of young people.
The Taskforce has a key role in building sector capacity for specific cohorts of young people, including Aboriginal young people and young people with disabilities, and developing pathways into family based care and independent living. Partnership and collaboration between DCP and non-government partners is crucial to ensuring that the needs of young people who need specialised responses are met.
For more information or to nominate for this meeting email:
Disability Working Group
Co-convened in 2023, the group focuses on strategies such as:
- improving the capacity to respond to demand, including the needs of different cohorts e.g. Aboriginal young people and young people from a CALD background
- ensuring safe and high quality services
- improved capacity to work within NDIS
- sharing best practice, learnings and resources
For more information or to nominate for this meeting email:
Child and Family Focus SA (CAFFSA) amplifies the voices of children, young people, and families involved in the family support and child protection sectors. We support and represent the not-for-profit organisations dedicated to protecting and nurturing children, young people, families and caregivers in our community.
Child and Family Focus SA
C/- 45 Wakefield St, Adelaide 5000
0473 617 782
‘Reconciliation’ Artwork by Kobe and Hamish Collins Commissioned by CAFFSA 2024.
Emergency Contacts
Child Abuse Report Line (CARL)
To report a suspected case of child abuse or neglect
Phone: 131 478
Website for further information: http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/health-wellbeing-and-special-needs/report-child-abuse/report-child-abuse
Click here to access e-CARL to make a submission online via a secure account
DCP Complaints and Feedback Management Unit
To make a complaint to the Department for Child Protection
Phone: 1800 003 305
Website for further information: https://childprotection.sa.gov.au/contact-us/complaints-reviews-and-feedback/making-a-complaint
Crisis Care
For after hours child protection and urgent matters requiring DCP support
Available from 5pm to 9am, 7 days a week
Phone: 13 16 11
Website for further information: https://childprotection.sa.gov.au/support-and-guidance/foster-and-kinship-care/caring-basics/after-hours
Domestic Violence Crisis Line
Confidential information, counselling and support for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Phone: 1800 800 098
Website for further information: https://1800respect.org.au/
Mental Health Triage
Immediate mental health support and assessment
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Phone: 13 14 65
Website for further information: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/
Individual Advocacy for Children and Families
Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People
Support and advocacy for children and young people who are under the Guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection and those who are sentenced or remanded to detention at Adelaide Youth Training Centre/Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre
Available Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Phone: 1800 275 664
Website for further information: https://gcyp.sa.gov.au/
The Reily Foundation
Free support, education and advocacy for parents navigating the child protection system in South Australia
Phone: (08) 7092 4428
Website for further information: https://thereily.foundation/
Our Committment
CAFFSA is committed to seeking and receiving formal and informal feedback (compliments, comments, and complaints) about its services, systems, practices, procedures, products and complaint handling.
You can submit your feedback HERE.
Our Policies
Need to understand more about these policies? Don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0473 617 782.
Child and Family Focus SA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, the Kaurna and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty has never been ceded and this was and always will be Aboriginal land.
We appreciate and celebrate diversity in all its forms. We believe diversity of all kinds makes our teams, services, organisations and communities stronger and more effective.