Steve Kinmond OAM is Children’s Guardian in NSW, having taken up the position in January 2023.

From 2019 he was CEO of the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA), having previously served as NSW Community and Disability Services Commissioner and Deputy Ombudsman (Human Services).

Steve sees the role of the Office of the Children’s Guardian is to support and strengthen organisations in their work with children. He will partner with government and non-government stakeholders to help improve the systems that are in place to support and protect children in NSW, especially the most vulnerable.

He has more than 30 years’ experience in investigation and regulation, having also worked as a solicitor and run his own consultancy practice.

Heading ACWA, Steve helped secure stronger funding for residential, statutory out-of-home care and championed the needs and special interests of vulnerable young people.

As Deputy Ombudsman, Steve led improvements in its oversight of community and disability services, and helped reform how the organisation reviews the deaths of children and young people with disability.