This part of the act would make provision for the establishment or funding of services to families which allows the department to provide or resource services for families, children and individuals. Such services should include support services, financial assistance and accommodation. A guiding principle would be that any form of support and care would promote the child's development and be considered in the context of the child's family, culture and networks. However legislation should not preclude a parent from making short term private arrangements for out of home care for their children. Appropriate adjustments would be made on representation from the child care industry and in consideration of the recent review of such services.
Parents are responsible for overseeing any employment their children are engaged in.
Legislation regulating this practice should be limited to ensuring that children are not exploited and that they are protected from harm. The area of protection of children should be the most important part of new legislation. It should contain safeguards to ensure that measures taken to protect children should ensure that families are allowed to remain intact insofar as this is consistent with the child's best interests. Guiding principles should be embedded in the section of the proposed new legislation which deals with the protection of children. These specific principles should be taken into account by the department and the court in making decisions in relation to the protection of children.