Now is the time to invest in crucial amendments that can start to shift our child protection system, writes Simon Schrapel.

In politics, there are rare times when the stars align and opportunities unfold to do something very significant in our public policy landscape.

It is even rarer to have a range of key leaders from across a sector united in their calls and support for significant change.

Today, in our State Parliament, such an opportunity exists.

For the first time in eight years, our politicians are considering a key piece of legislation that underpins our state’s child protection system.

Generally speaking, South Australia’s child protection system is often seen as a wicked and, ultimately, unsolvable problem.

It’s not.

Many of us also believe that it’s something that affects someone else – other people’s children, other parents and other families.

Wrong again.

One in three South Australian children will have some interaction, sometimes unknown to them or their families, with our child protection department during their childhood.

Of course, not all these reports will result in the removal of a child. Some reports won’t even require further action.

However, South Australian children and young people continue to encounter our child protection system and, for many, enter our care system at much higher rates than the rest of the nation.

Since this key child protection legislation was last reviewed, the number of South Australian children in care has risen by over........

© InDaily