Hi there!


This space explains
What we do
For children in care
We have a helpline for all children in care to call whenever they need support.
We also have a visting team who regularly visit children in residential care and inspect residential care homes.
These two functions fall under Shona’s Government legislated mandates:
—The Guardian for Children 
and Young People
—The Child and Young Persons Visitor
For children in detention
Our program for visiting and supporting children in Adelaide Youth Training Centre (AYTC) is known as the Training Centre Visitor.
The Training Centre visitor also inspects AYTC under the Australian NPM.
The Guardian for Children and Young People advocates for the rights and best interests of children and young people in care and youth detention in South Australia.
The Guardian’s office supports children and young people who are under the guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection and those who are sentenced or remanded to detention at Adelaide Youth Training Centre/Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre. Our role is to ensure their voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and their safety and wellbeing are actively monitored.
We provide advocacy on both individual matters and systemic issues, helping to drive improvements across child protection and youth justice systems. While we are not the legal guardian for children in care, we exist to champion their rights and hold systems accountable.
The Guardian and Training Centre Visitor is Shona Reid. She is independent of government. She is mandated to run our office’s functions for children and young people.
Shona is part of the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Commissioners and Guardians and is a nominated Australian National Preventative Mechanism working alongside similar offices to strengthen the rights and wellbeing of children and young people across the region.
Common questions about our Office
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 of the reasons kids call you?
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 you through.
Can Advocates visit my placement?Â
If you would like to talk with an Advocate face-to-face, they might be able to visit you at school, your placement, somewhere in the community, or at our office. An Advocate will talk to you about how you’d like to connect.Â
I’m going to attend a meeting with my social workers soon, but nervous about going on my own. Can an Advocate come with me?
Yes, they can. If you feel you need some help to meet with DCP, an Advocate can support you. Depending on where you live, an Advocate might be able to go to the meeting with you face-to-face, or attend by phone or video call. Â
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).
How can an Advocate help and support me?
We listen to your worries and what you want to change. We can talk about the different possibilities to make things better. We plan with you how these changes could be achieved. We help your voice and wishes be heard by people like your social worker or others in charge. This might mean we attend a meeting with you and your social worker, we talk to staff at the department for child protection or contact places that might be able to help you.Â
Can I meet with an Advocate in person?
For sure. You’re welcome to visit our office or meet with an Advocate, but it’s best to call us first so we can make sure there’s someone available to talk to you.Â
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 in the child protection system.Â
Can I trust an Advocate with the information I share?
Definitely. We will follow your wishes when you tell us who you want to share your worries with. But if we’re worried about your safety or the safety of others, we might need to tell other people because your wellbeing is super important to us.Â
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.
Our History
2005
The Guardian for Children and Young People was established by an amendment to the Children’s Protection Act 1993. Pam Simmons was appointed the first Guardian for Children and Young People.
2006
The Charter of Rights for Children and Young People was launched. This was developed with the involvement of children and young people.
2010
The Charter of Rights for Children and Young People was tabled in parliament.
2015
Amanda Shaw appointed the Guardian for Children and Young People.
2016
The Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016 was passed. Part 3 of the Act establishes the Guardian’s role and functions.
The Training Centre Visitor was established in the Youth Justice Administration Act 2016. Amanda Shaw was appointed the first Training Centre Visitor.
2017
Penny Wright appointed the Guardian for Children and Young People and the Training Centre Visitor.
The Child and Young Person Visitor was established in the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and a trial program is developed. Penny Wright is appointed the Child and Young Person Visitor.
2019
The Child and Young Person Visitor trial program ended.
The Training Centre Visitor pilot inspection was undertaken.
2020
Review of the Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care.
Creation of Nunga Oog began.
2021
The revised Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care was launched.
Penny Wright announces her resignation from the role of Child and Young Person’s Visitor.
2022
Launch of Nunga Oog
2022
Shona Reid appointed the Guardian for Children and Young People, Training Centre Visitor and Child and Young Person’s Visitor.
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