review of the regulation
DoCS has recently completed the first stage of the Children’s Services Regulation 2004 (the Regulation) review.
Through consultations that ran from October – December 2008, DoCS has heard a wide range of views on what aspects of the current Regulation need to be safeguarded and what needs to change and improve.
DoCS released a discussion paper in October 2008 to encourage discussion about which issues should be considered in the development of a new Regulation.
156 written submissions from service providers, peak industry groups, parents, government agencies and other interested members of the community were received in response to the paper.
View submissions from major stakeholders.
stage one - public consultation
Regional briefings: 16 regional briefings were held across NSW. Over 1,300 people, mostly from children’s services, attended these briefings.
See the report on the regional briefings.
Parent focus groups: Six focus groups for parents whose children attend children’s services were also held in rural and urban areas. Fifty parents participated in these focus groups.
See the report on the parent focus groups.
Online surveys for the industry and for parents: Over 1,300 parents and 1,145 people working in children’s services completed an online survey to contribute their views on the major issues.
See the report on the online surveys.
stage 2 – development of a draft regulation
Stage 2 began in early 2009. Comments and feedback from the consultations and submissions will be used to prepare a new draft Regulation and an accompanying Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS).
The draft Regulation and RIS will be developed in the second half of 2009. A further round of public consultation will be undertaken, after which a final draft Regulation will be prepared.
The new Regulation is expected to take effect during 2010.
where can I get more information?
Further information and details about the Regulation review will be regularly updated on this website.
DoCS will also publish updates in Inside Out and Building Blocks, as well as other children’s services sector publications and newsletters.
Any enquiries about the Children’s Services Regulation review can be emailed to CSRegRev@community.nsw.gov.au.