An overview of our two-day program can be accessed below. This year our focus on permanency and thriving for children and young people is woven around last year’s National Recommendations, developed from the outcomes of the conference. This is a two-way conversation – take your seat at the table!
9.20am
Plenary Session 1:
Unifying National Child Welfare & Permanency
Launching the 2021 THRIVE National Permanency Conference, Lanai Scarr hosts Professor Paul Chandler; Renée Carter; The Hon Michelle Landry MP; Tim Crosier (Department of Social Services); and welcomes international guests Deborra-lee Furness and Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD in a vital discussion about trauma, resilience and healing.
10.20am
Q&A with Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD
Following the Deborra-lee Furness conversation with Dr Perry, Renee Carter facilitates a live Q&A with delegates and Dr Perry. (Reminder the live sessions require access to Zoom technology.)
10.40am
Plenary Session 2:
Integrating the voice of children and young people in decisions
Join Helen McCabe as she hosts our segment exploring the importance of the voice of children and young people. Speakers include Australian National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds; NSW Advocate for Children & Young People Zoe Robinson; Colin Pettit The Commissioner for Children & Young People WA; Emily Backhouse; Danielle Schmid; and international guest April Dinwoodie is interviewed by Ambassador Zufi Emerson.
11.40am
Morning Tea Break
11.55am
Break out Sessions (3 options to be announced soon)
12.40pm
Lunch Break
1.10pm
Plenary Session 3:
Accessibility and timeliness of permanency for children in care
Angela Bishop takes us on a journey through permanency including guests The Hon Alister Henskens (NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services); Simone Walker (Deputy Secretary, Strategy, Policy and Commissioning at Department of Communities and Justice NSW); and Pam Barker (Yfoundations); PCA Families president Meredith Carter; and hear from parent through adoption, Michelle Roberts about her experiences.
2.05pm
National Roundtable #1
Take your seat at the national table to put forward ideas, hear insights from a range of delegates and contribute to this year’s National Recommendations.
Session 1 will cover: Unified, national approach to child welfare and permanency; Integrating the voice of children and young people in decisions; Accessibility and timeliness of permanency for children in care; Trauma-informed, therapeutic services for all children in care.
Facilitated by Michelle Stacpoole.
2.50pm
Plenary Session 4:
Trauma-informed, therapeutic services to be made available for all children in care, and ensuring all schools are trauma informed
Join Joe Hildebrand as we explore the importance of supports to thrive, welcoming guests including The Hon Rachel Sanderson (SA Minister for Child Protection); Helen Barrett (Play Therapy Hub); Jarrod Wheatley (Professional Individualised Care) and Jonah Bobongie (Led by a Heartstring).
9.15am
Plenary Session 5: Nationally supporting carers of children
Lisa Sthalekar launches day 2 of the conference program, hosting The Hon Simone McGurk (WA); Mark Burgess (WA); a brief presentation on My Forever Family NSW; and world renowned internal guest speaker (to be announced soon). Sue Brierley, mother of Saroo and author of ‘Lioness’ will also speak with Lisa about her experiences.
10.25am
Q&A with International Guest speaker (to be announced)
11.10am
Morning Tea Break
11.20am
Plenary Session 6: Community led child welfare
Join us on this important topic of increasing community led decision making for child welfare. Hear from Richard Weston (Deputy Children’s Guardian for Aboriginal Children and Young People in NSW); Shellie Morris; and Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes, Lecturer and Researcher in Aboriginal and Indigenous Education, as well as Jeff Amatto from More Cultural Rehab Less Jails . Additional speakers to be announced soon.
12.15pm
Break out Sessions (3 options to be announced soon)
1pm
Lunch Break
1.30pm
National Roundtable #2
Take your seat at the national table to put forward ideas, hear insights from a range of delegates and contribute to this year’s National Recommendations.
Session 2 will cover: Nationally supporting carers of children; communities leading child welfare; preparing for thriving care leavers; data and information sharing between services and departments.
2.10pm
Plenary Session 7: Data and information sharing between services and departments
Join Louise Ransome as she hosts The Hon Kate Worden (NT); The Hon Sarah Courtney (TAS); EY's Mark Nixon and Kym Peake; Julieanne Davis (NT); Angela McCrossen (TAS); and International Guest Speaker Dr Jane Aronson.
3.10pm
Plenary Session 8: Preparing for thriving care leavers
Emily Hikaiti closes out our two day event with this critical session and hears from The Hon Rachel Stephen-Smith (ACT); Paul McDonald (Home Stretch); Simon Benn; Shane D Wilson (VIC); and Bernie Shakeshaft (Backtrack).
*** Please note***
- Times, speakers and order are subject to variation as we finalise this jam-packed event!
- Plenary sessions and the National Roundtables are automatically added to your agenda. Please select one option for each of the breakout sessions, which will be added to your agenda. National Roundtables and breakout sessions will require you to have access to Zoom
- This year you will also be able to add one-on-one meetings with other delegates