Translate
The Department of Health is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in our hospitals and health services, and we are continuing to take actions to strengthen governance to improve child safety.
Today, expressions of interest have opened for the new Tasmanian Child Safety and Wellbeing Panel, which will play a key role in reviewing serious child safeguarding events and assisting the Department in decision-making regarding child safeguarding. The Panel will provide an advisory role to the Child Safety and Wellbeing Service.
Individuals who are passionate about making systemic change in the approach to promoting children and young people’s rights, safety and wellbeing across all areas of the Department of Health are invited to apply.
Through the work of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Service in Tasmania and the Department’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Framework launched in September, we are implementing the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. These will ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, meeting their specific needs, rights and interests within a child safe culture.
The call for expressions of interest for the new Panel follows this week’s release of the final report and recommendations from the Child Safe Governance Review into the Launceston General Hospital and Human Resources. We have accepted all 92 recommendations and have committed to implementing them.
The establishment of the new Child Safety and Wellbeing Panel will assist the Department of Health to implement key strategies to make systemic change in the approach to promoting the rights, safety and wellbeing of children and young people. The scope of the Panel includes:
- Reviewing and assessing all serious child safeguarding events referred by the Secretary.
- Conducting defined research, reviews, inspections or evaluations, providing independent advice and evidence-based solutions to the Secretary.
- Assisting the Department in quality and safety decision-making in relation to child safeguarding.
- Advising the Secretary on options for quality improvement in structures, systems, processes, and tools in relation to child safety.
- Advising the Secretary on options for systematic management of safety and quality learnings from serious child safeguarding events.
The Panel will consist of a chair and two independent members who have experience in child safeguarding and health systems. It will also include a consumer representative who has lived experience of accessing health systems in Tasmania. The Panel is able to use videoconferencing and/or phone conferencing to ensure all Panel members can attend meetings. Applicants from across Australia are encouraged to apply.
Individuals can express their interest to be part of the Panel by 29 January 2023.
I am pleased to offer the public this opportunity to become more involved in shaping a child safe healthcare system for children and young people in Tasmania.
To obtain an information package please email [email protected].