Setting the organisation and the sector up for the next 10 years 

“I have the privilege of being a custodian of OzChild, and it’s my job to leave it in a better position than when I found it. If I can achieve that and keep pushing for even greater progress, then I will be truly fulfilled,” says Lisa, as she looks ahead, her role in leading the necessary changes for OzChild remains crucial.

Lisa acknowledges the growing over-representation of First Nations children and young people in out-of-home care and the justice system.

“The evidence is clear: we are not delivering what works for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We must change our approach,” she states. 

The current outcomes across the sector are not meeting the needs of these communities.

“We need to be on the right side of history and support our First Nations communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations by ensuring they have the funding and opportunities to deliver the programs they know are right for their communities,” Lisa emphasises. 

Lisa believes that real change can only be achieved by creating a level playing field.

“We can’t assume we can do things better than other providers until they have the resources to try themselves. We must create a level playing field. That’s the only way to achieve real change,” she insists.

As Lisa continues to lead OzChild, her unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for all children and young people, especially those from First Nations communities, is evident. She advocates for equitable resources and opportunities, driving the progress needed to make a lasting impact. 

Lisa envisions a transformation in child protection responses and youth justice approaches, advocating for a shift towards evidence-based, trauma-informed models with substantial investment in early intervention. She emphasises the need for funding and support for Aboriginal models of care, allowing them to thrive independently, without interference from organisations like OzChild. 

Lisa also urges both state and federal governments to commit to the essential changes required to sustain and enhance the crucial role that foster carers play in the child protection system. 

“The future of foster care is at a critical crossroads; it won’t be long before the number of children and young people needing care will far outweigh the available carer households. Already the shortage of carers being felt across the nation is impacting children,” Lisa warns.

One of the most significant shifts in the past decade has been the increased willingness of organisations to collaborate, share resources, and learn from each other to influence change.

“Few would argue that the current state of the child protection system demands our urgent attention. Overburdened and facing increasing demand, the system frequently falls short of its promise to safeguard children,” says Lisa. 

Nationwide, there has been a 16% decline in foster carers over the past five years, leading to a 79% growth in residential care and a reliance on High-Cost Emergency Accommodations (HCEAs), which are known to result in poorer outcomes for children and young people.

Vulnerable families continue to be disproportionately impacted by the economic climate, with insufficient resources to manage mounting pressures, affecting their mental health and capacity to care for children. This includes a significant proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who also contend with colonial legislative systems, exacerbating their risk of involvement in the child protection and criminal justice systems.

“To truly protect children and enhance their long-term outcomes, the solution is not just about increasing the number of foster carers, improving residential care quality, or providing lower-cost and safer emergency accommodation—although each aspect plays a necessary role in a reimagined system,” Lisa explains. 

“It is critical that we increase investment in early intervention, provide more comprehensive wrap-around support for families when a risk is identified, and support the fundamental rights of children to be raised by their own parents,” Lisa concludes.

With these guiding principles, Lisa aims to steer OzChild and the broader child and family welfare sector towards a more effective and compassionate future, ensuring every child, young person and family can thrive.