Background
In 2008 Northern Territory Families and Children reviewed the operation of Ministerial Advisory Council's within the Division, this included the Family and Children's Services Advisory Council and the expired Domestic and Family Violence Council.
The review made a number of recommendations to address operational issues raised by members including the formation of the Northern Territory Families and Children Advisory Council (NTFCAC) to enable a shared strategic direction that combines expertise on major social policy issues.
Some of the changes proposed by the review included:
- That future membership is comprised of expert practitioners across a range of professions and links members to high-level policy conversations.
- That the model incorporate a direct link between the regional partnership arm and the new Advisory Council model.
- That the Secretariat play a facilitative role, keep members updated about relevant research and identify opportunities to comment on issues of concern.
Overall it's intended to facilitate a more direct and immediate input to high-level policy discussions across the NT Government, by linking the Advisory Council to the Community Safety Working Group.
Terms of Reference
The Advisory Council will:
- Provide high-level knowledge-based and impartial advice and perspectives to the Minister for Children and Families on:
Matters affecting the care, protection and best interest of families, children and young people;
Implementation of Mandatory Reporting for family violence and child abuse including public awareness and communication strategies;
Development of NT Family Violence Strategy, and follow up on its implementation;
Measures to support individuals, families, children, and communities, particularly those who experience disadvantage and/or domestic and family violence;
Strategies that respond to the diverse needs and circumstances of Territory families, individuals, children, young people and communities that assist them through best possible quality of life; - Provide a mechanism for experts from the community to work with Government to progress an accessible, equitable, good quality and integrated service system.
- Monitor and comment on the impact of public policy including the Family Violence Strategy and its mandatory reporting, on the community.
- Respond to specific references as requested by the Minister for Family and Children or Chief Executive, Department of Children and Families.
- Undertake activities as agreed with the Minister and the Chief Executive, Department of Children and Families.
- Establish a direct relationship with the Minister for Children and Families.
- Incorporate a direct link with the networking and regional partnership.
- Liaise with Government and non-government organisations as appropriate.
- In its processes, the Advisory Council, working with the Department of Children and Families, will:
- Stimulate community interest, debate and involvement;Promote a partnership approach to policy development and service delivery;
- Remain informed about the evidences and risks, opportunities and contemporary; responses that affect the quality of life of Territory individuals, children, families and communities;
- Provide advice and recommendation based on expertise and good practice;
- Support advice and recommendations with evidences wherever possible;
- Ensure that recommendations and advice are made in the best interest of families; individuals, children and young people rather than sectional or vested interests;
Members
Jane Lloyd Expires: 1 June 2011 | Jane is currently working as an Advisor with the Australian Crime Commission, Child Abuse and Violence Task Force. Jane is an expert in the area of indigenous family violence and has over 26 year experience working in remote and indigenous communities. Jane was formerly Manager of NPY's family violence program and over 12 years worked on designing, developing and implementing a cross border domestic violence services for NPY Women's Council. | ||
Liza Balmer Expires: 1 June 2011 | Liza Balmer is Manager, Child Nutrition Program NPY. Liza has worked with Indigenous families in Alice Springs for a number of years, many of these in a variety of positions with NPY. Liza is also a representative on the Australian Child Welfare Reference Group and was recently appointed to an expert panel for the Development of a National Child Protection framework. | ||
Nareen Carter Expires: 1 June 2011 | Nareen Carter is currently employed as the Children Services Coordinator for the Central Desert Shire. Nareen previously worked as the Red Cross Regional Manager in Central Australia. Prior to this, Nareen worked on the Integrated Early Childhood Project to improve the quality of and access to early childhood services for children and families of remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia. Nareen has excellent skills in community development and capacity building. | ||
Marilyn Roberts Expires: 1 June 2011 | Marilyn is currently employed by Somerville Community Services. Marilyn is a trained counsellor with extensive experience working with homelessness services funded by SAAP. | ||
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Sally Bolton Expires: June 2011 | Sally Bolton is the family lawyer at the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission in Alice Springs. She represents parents and carers in child protection proceedings in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, as well as advising and representing clients in family law matters regarding children. Sally previously worked as the domestic violence lawyer at the Central Australian Women's Legal Service. She is a member of the Alice Springs Family Pathways Network and the Northern Territory Law Society. Sally presents legal education sessions about domestic violence, child protection and family law to the public and to service providers in Central Australia. | ||
Paul Rajan Expires: June 2011 | Paul is currently employed by the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training. Paul was Executive Officer to the former Family Violence Advisory Council and is a past member of the Disability Advisory Council. Paul previously worked for many years in youth and community development and is currently a member of the Board of Families Australia. | ||
Lisa Bennett Expires: June 2011 | Lisa Bennett is a social worker who has worked primarily with women and children escaping domestic violence and sexual assault. She is currently employed as a counsellor educator for Ruby Gaea, Darwin centre Against Rape | ||
Shirleen Alum Expires: June 2012 | Shirleen is currently employed at the Tennant Creek Women's Refuge in two part time roles as the Children's Worker and Managers Assistant. She has been involved in the Women's refuge for several years either as an employee or member of the Management Committee. Shirleen is active in numerous events relating to Child Protection, development and welfare | ||
Tracey Brand Expires: June 2012 | Tracey Brand has been the Deputy Director of Tangentyere Council for 10 years and has 20 years of extensive experience in social service programs and a commitment to social justice. Tracey is Deputy chair of NTCOSS and was a previous director of the ACOSS board. Tracey is also a devoted foster parent | ||
Phillip Leslie Expires: June 2012 | |||
Dr Louise Martin Expires: June 2012 | |||
NT Council of Social Services Represented by Lara Kohaupt | |||
John Smulders Expires: June 2012 | John is a Social Worker and has lived in the NT since 1980. He is employed as a Team Leader for an NGO child health program in Alice Springs. In his current role John continues to work with high risk families, particularly children who have been exposed to neglect, abuse and violence. John previously worked as a caseworker in the Child Protection Team with FACS/NTFC. |
Membership
The Terms of Reference specify that:
- Members will be appointed for a period of up to 2 years;
- Half the members shall retire each year.
All current individual members of the NTFC Advisory Council have applied and been appointed through a public Expression of Interest process. The terms of all members are now aligned and expire in July of the upcoming two years. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) will continue a process of commencing advertising in February for vacancies arising that July. Information on vacancies arising will: be posted to the DHF Internet; be advertised in regional papers and promoted through networks across the Northern Territory.
Appointment to the Advisory Council is at the discretion of the Minister.
Subcommittees
The review identified a preference for the use of sub-committees focused on one issue to provide advice and feed into a bigger process.
Meetings
The NTFC Advisory Council meets on average three times a year with at least one meeting a year held in Alice Springs.
Meeting dates for 2010:
- 3 & 4 March in Darwin
- 27 & 28 June in Alice Springs
- 17 & 18 November in Darwin
Members will be available to participate in ad hoc meetings via teleconference and videoconference to provide input to policy discussions as they happen. This will be combined with the formal meetings identified above.
