Hi there!
This space is
For Families
You’re here because you care about the rights and best interests of children and young people.
Lot of adults in the community are advocates for children. Some times we get calls from adults when the rights of children in care or youth detention are not being met.
For advocacy, children are encouraged to contact us directly if they can.
If they need help to make the call, a safe adult they can trust can support them.
Our Advocates will help solve any problems or concerns by speaking to the child’s social worker, staff at the Department for Child protection or Adelaide Youth Training Centre, other government departments, or the relevant minister.
In an emergency
We do not provide crisis response if you or someone else is in immediate danger. If you are worried about the safety of any adult or child, call 000.
If you have reasonable suspicious that a child has been or is being abused or neglected, please phone the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 13 14 78.
Organisations that can help you
Are you a foster carer or kinship carer that needs support?
If you need support for challenges you’re experiencing as a foster or kinship carer, the best place to start would be your foster or kinship care support agency, and/or Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers SA, the representative body for carers.Â
Are you a parent or family member of a child in care?
For family members whose loved-ones are in the care system, you can find support through The Reily Foundation.Â
Are you looking to contact Office of the Public Advocate for adults under guardianship unable to make decisions for themselves?
The Public Advocate helps to carry out South Australian laws that relate to adults who are unable to make decisions for themselves, who are at risk of abuse or neglect and may require supported or substitute decision-making. You can find out more here.
Common questions about Care
What is an Advocate?
An Advocate is someone who helps others by speaking up for them and supporting them. An Advocate can help if there is a problem that you or adults in your life haven’t been able to solve.
What are some reasons kids call you for help?
Kids call us for many different reasons. They might feel unsafe in the place they’re living or like they don’t belong. They may want to see their family, friends and loved-ones more. They might not feel supported to follow their dreams. There might have been a decision that they didn’t agree with, or they might be worried about the future. These are all real worries that our Advocates can support them through.
Can I call you at any time of day?
Our Advocates take calls Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you leave us an email outside these hours, we will get back to you as soon as we’re back in the office. If it’s an emergency, contact 000. If you are in care and need urgent support when our Office and DCP offices are closed, call DCP After Hours on 13 16 11. If you need mental health support, call Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13yarn (13 92 76)
Can children speak to an advocate in person?
Absolutely. Children are welcome to visit our office or meet with an Advocate at a location that suits them, but it’s best to call us first so we can make sure there’s someone available to talk to you.
Can I come to the meeting between an advocate and child?
Yes. Children and young people can bring a trusted adult to meet with one of our Advocates if they like.
Are you part of DCP?
No. Our office is separate from the Department for Child Protection and Minister for Child Protection. This means we can give them honest feedback on what needs to change.
What times can you be contacted?
Our advocates take calls Monday to Friday, 9 to 5pm. If you leave us an email outside these hours, we will get back to as soon we’re back in the office. If you’re facing an emergency, contact 000. For DCP after-hours emergency support, call 13 16 11. If you need mental health support, call kids helpline, lifeline or 13yarn
Can I talk to an Aboriginal Advocate?
Of course. We have Aboriginal Advocates who would be happy to speak to you. Ask to speak to an Aboriginal Advocate when you give us as call.
Can I come to the meeting between an advocate and child?
Children and young people can bring a safe and trusted adult to meet with one of our Advocates if they like. It’s helpful to chat about this with our Advocates before the meeting.
Common questions about Detention
How often do you visit the 
youth detention centre?
We visit Adelaide Youth Training Centre at least twice a week. Children and young people in the centre can also call us by entering their PIN and pressing #2 and #6 on their unit phone.
Can children and young people speak to an Aboriginal Advocate?
Of course they can. We have Aboriginal Advocates who would love to hear from you and help where they can.
Can children or young people call you when you’re not at the centre?
Yes. Young people in the centre can call us by entering their pin and pressing #2 and #6 on their unit phone. Our Advocates will be able to take their calls Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
I want to make a complaint about the detention centre.
You can complain directly to the Department of Human Services that manages the Adelaide Youth Training Centre via their website.Â
You can let us know about any concerns you have by calling us or emailing us.
You can also raise your concern with South Australia’s Ombudsman.
I need a lawyer.
For free legal advice, you can call the Legal Services Commission, Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, Women’s Legal Service or Youth Law.
How do I contact, visit or raise concern about someone inside the centre?
Contact Adelaide Youth Training Centre directly on 8169 1455 or 8169 1444. You can also visit the Department of Human Services website.Â
Rights education resources
It is important that children and young people know their rights while they’re in care or detention. We have a number of resources to assist them learn about these rights.
You can download some of the rights education resources we have available.
If you’re interested in your organisation receiving rights education resources, check out our Charter Champions program.
See all Charter of Rights Resources
Systemic advocacy
Find out more about our systemic advocacy work, where we advocate for the broader changes to out-of-home care system and youth detention.
Get Involved
We want children and young people’s voices and experiences to be at the heart of our advocacy. If you know someone who’s experienced out-of-home care or youth detention and wants to share their experience with hopes of making positive change for others, find out more here.
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