The Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward has welcomed The Salvation Army’s accreditation to provide out-of-home care services in NSW.
The Salvation Army has met the NSW Out-of-Home Care Standards that underpin the quality of care provided by the non-government sector, and has therefore achieved 3 years provisional accreditation to provide out-of-home care in NSW .
Minister Goward was pleased to announce the licensing of this significant new out-of-home care player during Child Protection Week.
"Child Protection Week is an opportunity to focus on improving services to respond better to child abuse and neglect. The O’Farrell Government is committed to reforming the child protection system in NSW to improve the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
"The Salvation Army, one of 18 new out-of-home-care new agencies, will provide foster care to children and young people aged between 0 and 17 years, and residential care to young people 12 years and older.
"The Salvation Army is an iconic Australian institution and so respected for its work with child and youth issues. It’s a perfect partner to provide out-of-home care services to vulnerable children, including those they work with every day," Ms Goward said.
"I warmly welcome the Salvation Army to the out of home care sector and congratulate them on achieving accreditation.
"As Justice James Wood recommended in 2008, the transition of services from the government to the non-government sector will improve services and lives for children, young people and their families," Ms Goward said.
Children’s Guardian Kerryn Boland said "It’s so important that out-of-home care organisations provide safe and nurturing environments for children in care. The Salvation Army have a history of supporting our community’s most vulnerable. Its accreditation is great for children and young people."
"The NSW Government is strengthening out-of-home care to improve services and lives. Improving children’s lives is what Child Protection Week is all about," Ms Goward said.
Simon Fontana - 0467 738 139
View the PDF version of this media release.