The National Permanency Conference 2021 is an online summit which will harness the insights of speakers and delegates to drive positive change for children and young people in out-of-home care to #THRIVE
If you were unable to attend during the session time, or would like to watch again, please see the videos below from our Plenary Sessions.
The videos will be available unto 31 October 2021.
SESSION 1
Unifying national child welfare & permanency
Launching the 2021 THRIVE National Permanency Conference, Lanai Scarr hosts Professor Paul Chandler (Acknowldegement of Country); 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.
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.
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.
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), Jonah Bobongie (Led by a Heartstring), Stacy Blythe (Western Sydney University) and Kaisey Hayes (Adoptive Mother, Pharmacist and Volunteer)
SESSION 5
Community led child welfare
Shellie Morris launches day 2 of the conference, hosting the important topic of increasing community led decision making in child welfare. Hear from The Hon Linda Burney MP; Catherine Liddle (SNAICC) along with Claire Robbs (Life Without Barriers); Richard Weston (Deputy Children’s Guardian for Aboriginal Children and Young People in NSW); and Jeff Amatto from More Cultural Rehab Less Jails.
SESSION 6
Nationally supporting carers of children
Lisa Sthalekar hosts this valuable session on the need to support carers, introducing The Hon Simone McGurk (WA); Mark Burgess (WA); a brief presentation on My Forever Family NSW by Michelle Stacpoole; and Chris Skinner from Life Without Barriers discusses The Mockingbird Family. Sue Brierley, mother of Saroo and author of ‘Lioness’ will also speak with Lisa about her experiences.
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); Mark Nixon and Kym Peake (EY); Julieanne Davis (NT); Noel Fittock from Communities Tasmania; and International Guest Speaker Dr Jane Aronson.
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 (Thriving Adoptees); Shane Wilson (VIC); and Bernie Shakeshaft (Backtrack).