Wednesday, 3 December 2025

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (11:25): In accordance with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, I table a statement of compatibility in relation to the Children, Youth and Families Amendment (Supporting Stable and Strong Families) Bill 2025:

In accordance with section 28 of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (the Charter), I make this Statement of Compatibility with respect to the Children, Youth and Families Amendment (Supporting Stable and Strong Families) Bill 2025 (the Bill).

In my opinion, the Bill as introduced to the Legislative Assembly, is compatible with the human rights as set out in the Charter. I base my opinion on the reasons outlined in this statement.

Overview

The main purpose of the Bill is to amend the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (CYF Act) to create a supporting stable and strong families scheme (SSSF scheme) to provide for collective responsibility and a whole-of-government approach to supporting child wellbeing and safety.

The SSSF scheme places obligations on Ministers, the Chief Commissioner of Police and heads of government departments (supporting stable and strong families partners (SSSF partners)) to take action to support the needs of vulnerable children and families within the supporting stable and strong families group (SSSF group) in delivering actions identified in a supporting stable and strong families plan (SSSF plan), with progress reported against that plan.

The Bill also consequentially amends the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (CWS Act) to expand the functions of the Children’s Services Co-ordination Board in relation to the SSSF scheme.

The SSSF scheme provides for a more proactive and holistic whole-of-government approach to taking tangible action to promote child wellbeing and safety in Victoria. It enhances accountability by setting out planning and reporting responsibilities and requires various public bodies to work together in a more coordinated manner.

Relevant Human rights

The following rights under the Charter Act are engaged by the Bill:

• right to recognition and equality before the law (section 8); and

• right to privacy (section 13); and

• right to protection of families and children (section 17); and

• right to protection of cultural rights including Aboriginal cultural rights (section 19)

For the following reasons, I am satisfied that the Bill is compatible with the Charter. All measures in the Bill are intended to promote the protection of families and children and so, to the extent that any rights may be limited, those limitations are reasonable and justified in accordance with section 7(2) of the Charter.

Analysis of relevant clauses

Right to recognition and equality before the law (section 8)

Section 8(2) of the Charter provides that every person has the right to enjoy their human rights without discrimination. Section 8(3) of the Charter provides that every person is entitled to equal protection of the law without discrimination and has the right to equal and effective protection against discrimination.

Clause 3 of the Bill amends the CYF Act to insert the definition of SSSF group, which has the meaning given by new section 20F.

New section 20F explains that SSSF group for the purposes of new Chapter 2A means the following persons:

• vulnerable children and care leavers;

• parents of, and other family members who reside in a household with, vulnerable children subject to a family preservation order;

• in relation to vulnerable children subject to a family reunification order:

i)   the parents of the vulnerable children with whom the vulnerable children will be reunified; and

ii)   other family members who will reside in a household with the vulnerable children after reunification in accordance with the order

The definition of care leavers is found in new section 20G, which provides that in Chapter 2A, it refers to persons under the age of 25 years who have left the care of the Secretary and i) live independently; or ii) are of an age to live independently; or iii) intend to live independently.

New section 20G also provides that in Chapter 2A a reference to vulnerable children includes: i) a child who is or has been subject to a report under section 28, 33(2), 183, 184 or 185 of the CYF Act, ii) a child who receives or has received services from a community service; iii) a child who requires but has not received services from a community service, iv) a child whose primary family carer receives or has received a service from a community service; and v) a child whose primary family carer requires but has not received services from a community service.

In new section 20G, the term primary family carer, means the child’s parent or guardian, or another person, who has daily care and control of the child, whether or not that care involves custody of the child. This definition is found in section 3 of the Commission for Children and Young People Act 2012.

Clause 4 amends the CYF Act to insert new Chapter 2A. Part 2A.2 of this Chapter deals with the SSSF functions and responsibilities of Ministers, the Chief Commissioner of Police, heads of government departments and any other person prescribed to share these functions and responsibilities. New section 20H sets out the functions of these SSSF partners, allocating different functions to SSSF partners who are Ministers to those SSSF partners who are not Ministers.

SSSF partners who are Ministers are required to prepare a SSSF plan and take the actions specified in the SSSF plan; prepare SSSF progress reports against that plan and consider their SSSF responsibilities as set out in new section 20H in preparing a SSSF plan. SSSF partners other than Ministers (principally heads of government departments) are required to consider their section 20H responsibilities in taking actions specified in the SSSF plan.

SSSF partners are not to consider their responsibilities in the performance or exercise of their primary functions, duties or powers or where there is a conflict or incompatibility with those functions, duties or powers.

New section 20I provides that for the performance of SSSF partners’ functions under new section 20H, a SSSF partner has several responsibilities directed to the SSSF group. These responsibilities include: i) delivering or facilitating the delivery of services; ii) promoting the physical, psychological, emotional, cultural and developmental wellbeing; iii) promoting equality of opportunity; and iv) having regard to and applying the recognition principles and recognising and supporting the cultural identity of Aboriginal persons.

In summary, SSSF partners are required by Part 2A.2 to consider the SSSF responsibilities when preparing their SSSF plans and SSSF progress reports against those plans (for SSSF partners who are Ministers) and consider the SSSF responsibilities when taking actions specified in the SSSF plans prepared by Ministers (SSSF partners who are not Ministers).

Discrimination as a requirement of sections 8(2) and 8(3)

‘Discrimination’ under the Charter is defined by reference to the definition in the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (EO Act) on the basis of an attribute in section 6 of that Act, which includes age, race and parental status amongst many others.

The Bill establishes a requirement to prepare and take action under SSSF plans taking into consideration SSSF responsibilities considering the needs of an exclusive cohort (above described) and creates a differential treatment to people arguably based on attributes such as age, parental status and/or race, both in terms of including and excluding people from the SSSF group.

Whilst this may, on its face, appear to treat persons with protected attributes differently and preferably, to those within the community who do not share those attributes, I am of the view that it does not constitute discrimination on the basis of those attributes as the scheme is essentially responding on the basis of need rather than those attributes. An examination of the definition of SSSF group highlights the connection of this group to the child protection or community services sector. If, however, this is insufficient to ensure compatibility, the SSSF scheme can be considered a special measure aimed at assisting those groups facing disadvantage.

Special measure (Section 8(4))

Section 8(4) of the Charter provides that measures taken for the purpose of assisting or advancing persons or groups of persons disadvantaged because of discrimination do not constitute discrimination, and as such, these special measures would not engage sections 8(2) or 8(3) of the Charter. The introduction of the SSSF scheme in the CYF Act, including the requirement to produce a SSSF plan that considers the needs of the SSSF group, can be considered to constitute a special measure as it meets the following criteria set in Lifestyle Communities Ltd (No 3) (Anti-Discrimination) [2009] VCAT 1869, 262–264.

a. The SSSF scheme has the purpose of assisting or advancing the identified disadvantaged and discriminated against

Vulnerable children, care leavers and their families, particularly those involved, or at risk of becoming involved, with child protection, face significant barriers to access adequate universal services that address their needs in a timely manner. This impacts their ability to equally access opportunities, placing them in disadvantage and impacting their ability to remain together as a family or to reunify in a timely manner following child protection intervention. This intention is clearly articulated in new section 20I(c) which includes the responsibility to promote equality of opportunity for children and care leavers in the SSSF group for whom there are welfare concerns.

Through the requirement for SSSF partners to plan and undertake actions in those plans, the Bill clearly identifies that vulnerable children and care leavers face systematic disadvantages and often do not have the same opportunities that their peers have.

b. The SSSF scheme is reasonably likely to advance and benefit the SSSF group.

New section 20C clearly sets out the objects of new Chapter 2A which focus on coordination and collective responsibility to promote the wellbeing and safety of vulnerable children and persons under the age of 25 through early intervention and providing timely and adequate services to support families caring for those vulnerable children and young people.

I am of the view that the introduction of a whole-of-government approach to taking action to support this group will produce better outcomes as the Bill also provides for more accountability through the requirement to prepare plans and have them laid before the Parliament in addition to the requirement to report on progress against those plans.

Better coordination in the planning and delivery of services to those who come within the SSSF group should enhance the capacity for family reunification and ultimately keep more vulnerable children and families out of the child protection system.

c. the SSSF scheme must address a need, and go no further than necessary to address that need

The scheme directly addresses a need for enhanced coordination of planning for, and delivery of, services for the most vulnerable within our community in the expectation that will produce better outcomes for those within the SSSF group. It goes no further than necessary to address that existing gap.

d. discrimination must be the cause of the person or group’s disadvantage

Children are a group whose vulnerability to a significant extent arises from their age. It does not follow that such vulnerability is the result of discrimination based upon the attribute of age. The connection between the status of being a parent and the involvement of the child protection system is clear but is not based upon discrimination due to that attribute. The involvement of the child protection system within the life of a family is based upon concerns for the safety of the children within that family.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission highlighted ongoing systemic racism within Victoria’s child protection system which is referred to within the recognition principles set out in section 7E of the CYF Act, in particular section 7E(5):

Historic and ongoing biases and structural and everyday racisms create barriers to the best interests of the Aboriginal child and are to be recognised and overcome.

The requirement in new section 20I for SSSF partners in undertaking their functions under section 20H to have regard to and apply the recognition principles and recognise and support the cultural identity of Aboriginal persons in the SSSF group aims to ensure that the specific and distinct cultural needs of Aboriginal adults and children are recognised, respected and protected, and act as a bulwark against discrimination in the context of child protection and community services. This aspect is discussed further below when considering the rights set out in section 19 of the Charter.

To the extent that discrimination is a root cause of Aboriginal parents and children forming part of the SSSF group, requiring this recognition and support in accordance with section 7E would support the application of section 8(4) to the SSSF scheme as it is clearly intended to contribute to overcoming the impact of that discrimination.

Accordingly, I am of the view that, if the measures in this Bill are considered discriminatory by focusing attention of some members of the community to the exclusion of others, they fulfil the requirements of a special measure aimed at assisting to overcome disadvantage to promote substantive equality.

Reasonable and justified limits (section 7(2)

Section 7(2) of the Charter provides that Charter rights may be subject under law only to such reasonable limits as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom, taking into account several factors.

Since targeting the SSSF group in the SSSF partners’ responsibilities does not constitute discrimination, sections 8(2) or 8(3) of the Charter are not limited and therefore, no analysis under section 7(2) regarding limits on rights in sections 8(2) and (3) is necessary.

Right to privacy (section 13)

Section 13(a) of the Charter provides that a person has the right not to have their privacy, family, home or correspondence unlawfully or arbitrarily interfered with.

Whilst this right may appear to be engaged due to the focus of the Bill on ensuring adequate and timely service provision to those within the SSSF group, the proposed plans and actions required in those plans is targeted at a group level. As such, the SSSF scheme will not require the sharing of personal information of any individuals who may form part of the SSSF group. Accordingly, I am of the view that the right to privacy is not engaged by the provisions in the Bill.

Right to protection of families and children (section 17)

Section 17(1) of the Charter recognises that families are the fundamental group unit of society and are entitled to be protected by society and the State. Section 17(2) provides that every child has the right to such protection as is in their best interests and is needed by reason of being a child.

As set out earlier, the Bill intends to provide for a whole-of-government approach and ensure collective responsibility when it comes to addressing the wellbeing and best interests of vulnerable children and their families. It is recognised that this cohort of vulnerable children and care leavers, along with their families, require additional supports through service delivery and early intervention to uplift and support their family units. However, the Bill also recognises that not every need will be the same and to promote the best interests of these children there needs to be a level of discretion as to what actions an SSSF partner takes and how best the SSSF partner considers they can address the needs of the SSSF group.

The Bill acknowledges this by setting out several SSSF responsibilities which SSSF partners are to consider when preparing their SSSF plans. These responsibilities include to:

• deliver or facilitate the delivery of services to the group including through providing access to health, education, welfare and other services appropriate to the needs of the SSSF group (as per new section 20I(a)(iii)) and

• promote the physical, psychological, emotional, cultural and developmental wellbeing of children and care leavers by promoting decisions and actions that prioritise the best interests (as per new section 20I(b))

SSSF partners are given flexibility in how they address and promote the best interests of the vulnerable children and their families when preparing their SSSF plans per new section 20L. This can be reflected in the detailed plan of actions which needs to set out how resources are to be allocated and specific actions that are to be taken by any or all SSSF partners who have SSSF responsibilities in relation to a Minister’s primary functions, duties and powers and non-statutory commitments (see section 20L(1)(b)). There is also the ability for an SSSF plan to meet the requirements even where the vision statement and detailed plan of actions is in relation to one class of persons in the SSSF group (see section 20L(3)). I am of the view this promotes the best interests of children by ensuring SSSF partners, through their SSSF plans, tailor their actions and delivery of services in the manner they consider is most appropriate given their primary functions, duties and powers.

I accordingly consider the changes proposed by the Bill to be compatible with the right to protection of families and children under the Charter.

Right to protection of cultural rights including Aboriginal cultural rights (section 19)

Section 19 of the Charter provides for the protection of cultural rights and outlines that people with particular cultural, religious, racial or linguistic backgrounds are not to be denied the right to enjoy their cultural, to declare and practice their religion, and use their languages. Section 19(2) of the Charter provides that Aboriginal persons hold distinct cultural rights and must not be denied the right, with other members of their community to, amongst other things, enjoy their identity and culture and maintain their kinship ties.

New section 20I(d) of the Bill states that one of the responsibilities of a SSSF partner is to have regard to and apply the recognition principles and recognise and support the cultural identity of Aboriginal persons in the SSSF group. The recognition principles are set out in section 7E of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.

In my view the Bill promotes and strengthens the Aboriginal cultural right by requiring SSSF partners to actively consider Aboriginal persons who fall within the SSSF group and to plan for them when preparing SSSF plans. Similarly, the requirements surrounding the content of SSSF plans (set out in new section 20L) and the SSSF progress report requirements (set out in new section 20O) ensure SSSF partners plan for measurable objectives that focus on the wellbeing and development of children and care leavers in the SSSF group, some of who are likely to identify as Aboriginal, and then at the end of the term of the SSSF plan assess and report back on those measurable objectives. Section 20L also requires that the detailed action plan within a SSSF plan takes into account outcome measures, some of which will be prescribed against the outcome area of ‘Aboriginal self-determination’. SSSF partners will therefore set objectives related to Aboriginal persons in the SSSF group and in doing so, will then be required to assess the performance of actions.

This promotes accountability in relation to actions taken for supporting the cultural identity of Aboriginal persons and I am therefore of the view that the changes are compatible with this Charter right.

Conclusion

For the reasons outlined above I am of the view that the Bill is compatible with the Charter.

The Hon. Ben Carroll MP

Deputy Premier of Victoria

Minister for Education

Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (11:25): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I ask that my second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard.

Incorporated speech as follows:

The Bill amends the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (the Act) and the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 to create a legislative framework to improve collaboration across Government and better support vulnerable children, young people and families. The Bill incorporates shared responsibilities across the Victorian Government to enhance service access and support earlier intervention for children, young people and families at risk of, or already involved with, Child Protection.

The Victorian Government has focused on progressing collaboration, identifying opportunities to leverage existing resources and initiatives to better support vulnerable children and families – particularly those involved with child protection or at risk of being so. Partnering across government has reinforced the collective responsibility that all departments and portfolios share for supporting the most vulnerable members of the Victorian community.

This effort has achieved some important advancements – notably, parents who are pursuing family reunification are now recognised as a priority cohort under the Victorian Housing Register. This recognises the important role that stable and appropriate housing plays in enabling parents to address protective concerns and safely resume caring responsibilities.

Despite these successes, the work to date has also highlighted the need for a more enduring approach that facilitates and directs our collective effort towards supporting vulnerable children and families. This Bill establishes that enduring approach by legislating the Supporting Stable and Strong Families scheme, formally recognising that, when the State takes responsibility for a child’s care, every government department becomes a part of that child’s support structure. The Bill gives practical effect to this duty by introducing responsibilities across government, mandating integrated planning and service delivery across government areas such as housing, health, education, and justice. This draws on a similar scheme, known as Corporate Parenting, that has operated successfully in Scotland.

The Bill seeks to enhance early intervention and minimise the number of children and families engaging with the statutory system, and the duration of their involvement. This complements the Children, Youth and Families Amendment (Stability) Bill 2025 reforms, which will extend the time available to parents to reunify with their children who are subject to a Family Reunification Order made by the Children’s Court of Victoria.

To ensure this is more than just an aspiration, the Bill creates a robust framework to hold government to account. It mandates clear reporting on outcomes for children and their families, making Ministers and departments answerable for their role in this collective effort. This Bill makes clear that supporting vulnerable children and young people is a whole-of-government responsibility, not just that of Child Protection and the Minister for Children.

The framework established by the Bill will be known as the Supporting Stable and Strong Families scheme. This title reflects the focus and objectives of the scheme to support those families in Victoria experiencing hardship and enable them to live strong, stable and fulfilling lives.

The ideas underpinning these reforms are not new and sit at the heart of what it means to be part of a supportive family and strong community. The title of the scheme draws on the consultation undertaken with key stakeholders and the language used to describe the intent of these reforms. I would like to take this opportunity to share some of the other contributions from stakeholders, which were not able to be incorporated into the Bill itself, but speak to the importance and resonance of these reforms.

Several stakeholders spoke to the importance of reflecting the obligations we all have to each other – as members of communities, of broader society, and as human beings. Others spoke to the importance of partnership and working together to achieve positive change, both for individual families and the Victorian community more broadly.

In discussions with members of the Aboriginal Children’s Forum, members spoke about parallels in Aboriginal culture – the importance and strength of community and the shared obligations to raise children and assist those doing it tough. As one member put it: when Aboriginal people gather around the campfire, everyone is expected to bring something.

I would also like to share some of the contributions made by members of the Ministerial Youth Advisory Group – an incredibly impressive group of young people with lived experience of the child protection and care system, who I have the privilege of meeting with and learning from. The language they used speaks to the potential of these reforms to make a significant and lasting difference to children and young people. Members spoke of ‘lifting up lives’, providing a ‘launchpad’ for the ‘next chapter’, and delivering both ‘roots and wings’ for those in need. As one member simply put it – ‘together we thrive’.

The scheme creates responsibilities for Ministers, department heads and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police towards a Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group. Responsible individuals will have three main functions under the new model to:

• consider their Supporting Stable and Strong Families responsibilities towards the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group;

• prepare and implement a Supporting Stable and Strong Families plan setting out the exercise of those responsibilities as relevant to the portfolio, by setting out actions the responsible individual will take in line with the responsibilities; and

• report on performance against Supporting Stable and Strong Families plans.

This Bill focuses on how government works together, but its success will be seen clearly in the impacts on the lives of children and families. The scheme will provide the framework for government to work together, to identify gaps and challenges, and to deliver better services to children and families, and decision makers will be held to account for making this happen. If we get this right, we will see fewer families coming into contact with the Child Protection system. When children do enter the system, we will see more of them safely reunified with families sooner, and those who cannot be reunified with their families will have outcomes equivalent to their peers across education, health, housing, employment, justice system involvement, and connection to culture. The Victorian Government intends that Supporting Stable and Strong Families is a framework that will improve the lives for thousands of children and families in Victoria.

Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group

The Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group will be comprised of:

• children under the age of 18 who are or have been Child Protection clients;

• children under the age of 18 who are receiving, have received, or require but are not receiving, services from a community service;

• children under the age of 18 whose primary family carer is receiving, has received, or requires but is not receiving, services from a community service;

• care leavers under the age of 25; and

• parents and household members of children subject to Family Preservation Orders and Family Reunification Orders.

The initial focus will be on children and families involved in Child Protection and recent care leavers. This will focus resources at those with the highest need and ensure children and families get the support they need.

Over time, the focus will broaden to the rest of Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group including children and young people (and their families) receiving or requiring family services support and those at risk of engagement with Child Protection. This will support the system to focus on early intervention to prevent more children and families from entering the Child Protection system in the first place.

Responsible individuals

All Ministers, department heads and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police will be responsible ‘Partners’ under Supporting Stable and Strong Families. This captures the core Victorian public office holders with the resources, powers, responsibilities and other mechanisms at their disposal to affect positive change for vulnerable children. However, the Bill also provides the ability to prescribe additional office holders over time.

Responsibilities

Responsible individuals, in so far as consistent with the proper exercise of their functions, will be required to consider the responsibilities to:

a. Deliver or facilitate the delivery of services to Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group:

i. Assessing the needs of the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group;

ii. Identifying and assisting parents and caregivers of children and care leavers in the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group at the earliest opportunity to meet the needs of children and care leavers; and

iii. Providing access health, education, welfare and other services appropriate to the needs of the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group.

b. Promote the physical, psychological, emotional, cultural and developmental wellbeing of children and care leavers in the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group by promoting decisions and actions that will prioritise the best interests of the children and care leavers.

c. Promote equality of opportunity for children and care leavers in the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group for whom there are welfare concerns by delivering services that provide the same opportunities that the peers of the children and persons have.

d. In relation to Aboriginal persons in the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group

a. have regard to and apply the recognition principles in the Act; and

b. recognise and support the cultural identity of those persons.

e. Monitor the outcomes, and report on effectiveness, of services provided to the Supporting Stable and Strong Families Group.

Supporting Stable and Strong Families Plans and Reporting

Supporting Stable and Strong Families responsibilities will be enacted through Supporting Stable and Strong Families plans, to be released every two years by Ministers for each of their portfolios. Plans will outline the actions to be taken by all responsible individuals within the portfolio. At the conclusion of each plan, Ministers will release a report outlining the progress against the actions in their plan. Plans and reports will be focused and meaningful documents that describe what each responsible individual is doing to improve outcomes for the priority cohort, ensuring public accountability for delivery of outcomes.

Supporting Stable and Strong Families plans will be tabled in Parliament and will outline a clear vision and actionable steps for supporting the well-being and development of children and young people, including:

• defining a clear vision and set specific, measurable objectives focused on the well-being and development of children and young people;

• developing detailed action plans outlining steps to achieve objectives, and ensure adequate resources (e.g. staffing allocation and material) are allocated;

• fostering collaboration with other responsible individuals, agencies, and communities; and

• establishing robust systems for monitoring implementation, evaluating outcomes, and making necessary adjustments to improve effectiveness.

Each Minister will be required to table a report in Parliament at the conclusion of each Supporting Stable and Strong Families plan, reporting on the progress against the actions within their portfolios. These reports are to provide an overview in respect to delivering on their stated goals in their Supporting Stable and Strong Families plans.

Governance and monitoring

To ensure there is adequate monitoring of progress between Supporting Stable and Strong Families plan periods, outcome measures across Government will be prescribed in Regulations, which responsible individuals will be required to have regard to in their Plans and tracked in their reports. Outcome measures will be across the outcome areas of:

• Health;

• Education;

• Justice;

• Housing;

• Aboriginal self-determination;

• Employment; and

• Other prescribed areas.

This provides a simple and enduring approach that allows for changes in ministerial responsibilities over time, to reflect the preferences of the Government of the day.

To support the Minister for Children with monitoring of system performance, coordination of the Supporting Stable and Strong Families scheme and setting of regulations, the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 is proposed to be amended to establish additional functions for the Children’s Services Coordination Board to provide advice to the Minister for Children on:

a. cross-government priorities for the Supporting Stable and Strong Families scheme; and

b. outcome measures and whether new domains may be required, to support the responsible Minister’s recommendations to the Governor in Council.

The Children’s Services Coordination Board will advise on outcome measures and will track system wide performance, supporting the Minister for Children in monitoring trends in outcomes for the priority cohorts throughout the life of each Supporting Stable and Strong Families plan. The outcomes measures will identify key trends in harm to children and young people and service gaps for families across the State, broken down by locality, harm and service type, and specific community needs to identify priorities across government. The Board will also be required to seek the voice of children, young people, carers and those with lived experience to inform the scheme. This structure will help identify priorities and direct collective effort across government that is informed by those who benefit most.

In action, this Bill represents a fundamental shift in how we, as a government, care for our most vulnerable children and young people. It moves us from a model of reactive referral to one of proactive, collective responsibility. Supporting Stable and Strong Families promotes multi-agency collaboration by requiring various public bodies, including health, education, and social services, to work together in a more coordinated manner. This ensures a comprehensive support system that addresses the diverse needs of children in care and promotes earlier intervention to support families staying together – providing the help they need, when they need it.

I commend the Bill to the house.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (11:25): I move:

The debate be adjourned.

Motion agreed to and debate adjourned.

Ordered that debate be adjourned for two weeks. Debate adjourned until Wednesday 17 December.