The National Child Protection Forum comes at a critical point for transformation – a moment to move beyond crisis response and begin bringing a new culture of healing and care in child protection and safety. The programme has been deliberately designed to support this shift, bringing together leaders, practitioners and communities to reimagine how systems can better hold children, families and kin.
Centred on prevention, cultural authority, equity and cross-sector integration, the forum supports those working across child protection, family services, health, housing, disability, education and justice to move from fragmented and reactive responses toward approaches grounded in care, connection and shared responsibility.
Participants will leave with practical tools, real-world examples and strengthened partnerships that enable them to reduce harm earlier, strengthen families and communities, and contribute to a child protection system that is more relational, culturally safe and focused on long-term wellbeing rather than short-term intervention.





In March 2026, Joanne commenced the role of Commander Human Exploitation and leads the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
Lauren Barons (she/her) is the Assistant Secretary of the National Office for Child Safety (National Office) at the Attorney-General’s department.
Renée Leigh (Carter) is the CEO of Adopt Change, including Carers for Kids NSW, and a passionate advocate for the well-being of children and young people
Jaye Wainui is a young Māori leader with a deep commitment to the wellbeing of whānau, hapori, and future generations. With over a decade of experience across Health New Zealand, Auckland Council,





