Natasha Stott Despoja to chair Australian Centre for Child Protection advisory board

Natasha Stott Despoja AO will chair the Advisory Board of the Australian Centre for Child Protection at Adelaide University, taking on the role as child safety and the prevention of abuse remain prominent issues across early childhood education and care.

Ms Stott Despoja will lead the board responsible for helping guide the strategic direction of the Australian Centre for Child Protection (ACCP), a research centre focused on preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect.

Her appointment also has a direct connection to early childhood education and care, with the ACCP having led the development of national mandatory child safety training for the early childhood sector.

Ms Stott Despoja said improving Australia's response to children experiencing violence, abuse and neglect was central to her decision to take on the role.

“The costs of our child protection systems are staggering, not only to Australia’s economy, but to the babies, children and young people, and future generations caught in cycles of disadvantage,” Ms Stott Despoja said.

“I share the Centre’s aspiration for a whole-of-government approach to child protection, more caring responses and earlier support.”

The ACCP undertakes research aimed at strengthening the systems responsible for preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect.

Alongside its work developing mandatory child safety training for the early childhood sector, the Centre recently developed a new model for intake and screening within Tasmania's child safety services.

Ms Stott Despoja brings extensive experience in advocacy, policy and the prevention of violence to the board.

Her appointment comes as early childhood services across Australia face an increased focus on child safety, safeguarding practice and the systems designed to protect children from harm.

The ACCP's involvement in national child safety training gives its future research and policy work particular relevance for ECEC providers, leaders and educators.

Further information about the Australian Centre for Child Protection and its research is available from Adelaide University.