Reimagining Child Protection and Family Support in South Australia – Panel Discussion

This event is held in conjunction with our partner organisation the Department for Child Protection.

In communities across South Australia, difficult issues impact children and young people - intergenerational trauma, substance misuse, domestic violence, poverty, housing stress and mental ill-health.

In the face of these issues, government and other organisations have a statutory responsibility to protect and help keep children and young people safe. But we also have a collective responsibility to do more – to provide support, nurture and care.

Imagine what could be achieved if complexities and challenges were tackled with everyone supporting families, through a collaborative approach between government, other organisations and community.

Please join the Minister for Child Protection, non-government organisation and community representatives for a panel discussion about the role everyone can play in improving the lives of children, young people and their families and transforming the system to help enable all children and young people and their families to reach their full potential.

OPENING SPEAKER

The Hon. Katrine Hildyard MP

Minister for Child Protection

Growing up in a single parent family in the south western suburbs of Adelaide, Katrine understands the value of being part of a community that is connected and inclusive, one where everyone is supported, empowered and feels a sense of belonging to community.

Katrine is driven by a visceral sense of fairness, deeply believes in equality of opportunity and strives to amplify the voices of community members, especially those who too often go unheard.

For most of her working life, Katrine has fought to improve the lives of South Australians. As Secretary of the Australian Services Union SA/NT branch, Katrine collectively led a campaign to help secure equal pay for 200,000 community workers. These efforts saw her awarded an Australia Day ‘Women Hold Up Half the Sky’/Inspiring South Australian Women Award in 2012. She is also listed on the South Australian Women’s Honour Roll.

Immediately prior to entering Parliament, Katrine was Chief Executive Officer of Together SA which brought communities together to collectively impact children’s lives positively. She is a Flinders University, Australian Institute of Company Directors and Governor’s Leadership Foundation graduate. Katrine spent years working as a clerical worker and has also been a cleaner amongst other professions.

Since 2014, Katrine has been the Member for Reynell.

As the Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, she is determined to work across government and community to help ensure that everyone is empowered to play their part in improving the lives of children and families.

She previously served as Minister for Disabilities, Minister Assisting the Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Assistant Minister to the Premier in the Weatherill Labor Government and established the South Australian Women in Sport Taskforce.

Katrine lives in the south with her family where she is involved in many community groups and activities. She loves spending time with family and friends and at the beach, including patrolling with Christies Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. Katrine is also an avid parkrunner, sports fan, local footy commentator, amateur theatre enthusiast and live music fan.

OUR PANELLISTS

Fiona Endacott

Chief Executive Officer, Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers – SA Inc

Fiona is the CEO of Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers SA (CF&KC-SA), the independent peak body for South Australian family based carers with a membership of over 1200 individuals. The peak body provides information, support, connection and advocacy to foster and kinship carers across South Australia ensuring carers are aware of policy and practice that impacts their children and families. CF&KC-SA is connected with peak body equivalents across Australia and is proudly a member of the national Foster & Kinship Care Collective.

Fiona is passionate about developing meaningful partnerships within state and federal environments to progress the voice of Carers and ensure their rights are upheld. Fiona is dedicated to addressing the issue of financial security as a gendered issue for foster and kinship carers, working to shift the policy, practice and legislation to support volunteer Carers to provide care safely with dignity and respect.

Denis Yengi

Chairperson, African Communities Council of South Australia 

Denis is a distinguished leader and Fellow Certified Practising Accountant (FCPA) with a remarkable career in the public sector. In 2016 he become first person of African descent elected to the CPA Australia South Australian Divisional Council, a strategic advisory body. Denis is passionate about advocating for the interests of South Australia's diverse communities, recognizing economic empowerment as a vital tool for successful integration and a happy, healthy lifestyle. He is committed to inspiring young South Australians to pursue their dreams, drawing from his personal and professional experiences.

Denis holds various significant roles, including:

• President of the African Communities Council of South Australia, representing over 46 African countries
• Board Treasurer of the Australian Migrant Resource Centre
• Member of the South Australian Multicultural Commission (nominated for a second term)

Denis's leadership and commitment to empowering diverse communities have earned him recognition as a respected and influential figure in South Australia.

Dan Mitchell

Acting Chief Executive, Aboriginal Family Support Services Ltd

Dan has built a distinguished career over more than two decades in the Out of Home Care and Social Welfare sectors across South Australia, including metro, regional, and remote areas.

His extensive experience spans both Government and non-Government agencies, where he has served as an Aboriginal Leader. Dan is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal equality and dedicated to advancing the rights of children, young people, and their families. He is committed to ensuring their lived experiences and truth telling are recognised and their voices are heard and supported.

Currently, Dan serves as the Acting Chief Executive at Aboriginal Family Support Services Ltd, which is South Australia’s largest Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).

Lucy Wade

State Director, Children Youth & Families, Alcohol & Other Drugs, Life Without Barriers

Lucy is the State Director, Child Youth and Families and Alcohol and Other Drugs at Life Without Barriers. Prior to this role, Lucy worked in the Department for Child Protection for 8 years leading regional and remote operational service delivery and has worked in a range of other complex human services roles within South Australia and overseas.

Lucy is passionate about social justice, child-centred practice and working as an active ally to ensure Aboriginal children and young people are cared for by community.

Arabella Stravolemos  

Social Worker (BSW), Living Experience Advocate (LEA), Kinship Carer

Arabella is a dedicated advocate committed to empowering and supporting vulnerable individuals, especially in the field of child protection. Arabella is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. She has personal experience as an individual with out-of-home care and has recently become a kinship carer. She uniquely combines lived experience with professional expertise to foster positive change and prevent unnecessary family separations.

Arabella's commitment extends to her role as a deputy board member with the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust Fund, where she advocates and supports children with care experiences in achieving their goals. She also contributes to a working group with the South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS), addressing social justice issues and promoting community welfare. Arabella's multifaceted efforts are driven by her passion for making a tangible difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.

OUR FACILITATOR

Nancy Penna

Executive General Manager, Community Services, AnglicareSA

Nancy has strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s Community services portfolio, which includes 360 staff and over 50 services across out-of-home care, homelessness, family and child support services, community development, financial support and emergency relief services.

She has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. With more than 35 years’ experience in SA community services, Nancy has an in-depth understanding of the complexity and interrelatedness of issues that families, children, individuals, and communities face.  

Nancy is the current Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and is also a board member of the South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS). Nancy was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Child Protection Awards.

 

Other event information:

Networking and light refreshments will follow the session from 7.00pm.

This is a public forum and open to the community, everyone is welcome to attend.

The recording can be viewed here: https://echo360.net.au/media/fefc1013-e357-4e97-bbec-d2908249b3fe/public