Virtual National Permanency Conference 2020  |  9.45am 12th to 3:45pm 13th October 2020

Join us on a journey in understanding the experience for children in care across Australia, as we hear from government and guest speakers, sharing with us about their experience of being in the care system, being on the front line, finding home, delivering insights on research and new approaches to improve outcomes for children and young people.

This two way conversation will allow delegates to ask questions and provide their input into conference recommendations for positive change.

Government

Hear from government including federal and state Community Services Ministers and government department representatives on updates on their commitment to prioritising permanency for children in out of home care across Australia.

Commonwealth government, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria set to share plans and progress and participate in this important event for change.


The Hon Michelle Landry MP
Australian Government
Federal Assistant Minister for Children and Families

The Hon. Di Farmer MP (QLD)
QLD Government
Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women

The Hon. Roger Jaensch MP (TAS)
TAS Government
Minister for Education, Children and Youth

The Hon Rachel Sanderson (SA)
SA Government
Minister for Child Protection

The Hon Simone McGurk BA(Arts) BA(Comms) MLA (WA)
WA Government
Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services

Stephen Bennett
Youth and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence; and Veterans
QLD Shadow Minister for Child Safety

Sue Barr
Out of Home Care, Department for Child Protection
Executive Director

Meegan Crawford
Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
Chief Practitioner

Julieanne Davis
Northern Territory Government
Executive Director Clinical Practice and Professional Services Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities

Rachael Green (WA)
Community Services Department of Communities
Deputy Director General

Claire Lovell (TAS)
Department of Children, Youth and Families
Director

Mr Brenton Philp
Families Group Department Social Services
Group Manager

Simone Walker
DCJ Child & Family, Strategy, Policy and Commissioning
Deputy Secretary of Strategy, Policy and Commissioning

Shane D Wilson
Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Director, Children, Families, Communities and Disability - Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

Kelly-Anne Stewart
Principal Advisor Women Offenders | Department of Communities and Justice

Speakers and Panellists

Join our unparalleled line up of speakers from Australia and beyond – lived experience experts, academics, child welfare thought leaders and practitioners, in the conversation of the year.


Terry Cross
National Indian Child Welfare Association
Founder and Senior Advisor of NICWA

Dr Jessica Pryce
Florida Institute for Child Welfare
Executive Director

Richard Rose (U.K.)
Director of Child Trauma Intervention Services Ltd (CTIS) and Therapeutic Life Story Work International (TLSWi)

Dr Stacy Blythe
School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Western Sydney University
Associate Professor

Angela Bontea
CASPA Services Ltd
Executive Director General Programs

Kerry Chikarovski
Chikarovski & Associates
Board Director

Fariba Gharahkani
DCJ Alternate Care Practice Team (ACPT)
NSW Director Adoption and Permanency Services

Greg Floyd
Cowboys 4 kids
President

Jess Grace
CASPA
Education Manager

Karleene Gribble
Western Sydney University
Adjunct Associate Professor

Michael Hawton
Parentshop Founder
Psychologist

Kaisey Hayes
Adopt Change

Jason Herbison
Executive Producer, Neighbours
Fremantle Media

Yvette Unknown
Move Learn Connect
Director

Damon Martin
International Social Service (ISS) Australia
Deputy CEO / manager

Emily Hikaiti
Ambassador & Lived Experience Advocate

Julie Hourigan Ruse
Fams
Chief Executive Officer

Robyn Smith
No FASD Australia
Educator

Jack Thompson
Adoptee and Actor

Amy Wright
Institute of Open Adoption Studies
Professor of Child and Family Social Work | University of Sydney

Tamena Yarak
Creating Links
Executive Manager Out of Home Care / Permanency Support Program

Kelly Walker
DCJ Western NSW District
Manager DCJ

Hosts

Join our Media Ambassadors when they each host a segment of the national conversation, facilitating input from a range of speakers including guests with lived experience, politicians, academics, thought leaders and experts in child welfare.


Deborra-lee Furness
Founder | Adopt Change

Helen Baker
Spill the Beans
Board Director

Renee Carter
Adopt Change
CEO

Professor Professor Paul Chandler
University of Wollongong
Board Director | Adopt Change

Zufi Emerson
Adoptee & Actor

Phoebe Garland
Ambassador & Adoptee

Shellie Morris
Singer, Songwriter & Musician

Angela Bishop
Ambassador & Journalist

Daniella Park
Ambassador & TV Personality

Luke Carroll
Media Ambassador & Actor

Sallianne Deckert
Adoptive Mother and TV Personality

Melissa Doyle
Media Ambassador & Journalist

Joe Hildebrand
Ambassador & Journalist

Helen McCabe
Ambassador & Journalist

Louise Ransome
Ambassador & Journalist

Lanai Scarr
Ambassador & Journalist