Annual Report to Children and Young People 2020-2021

​This Review presents an opportunity for the law to embed a public health approach and a human rights-based approach to mental health and wellbeing in South Australia, with particular regard to the children and young people’s rights and access to services.

The Commissioner makes the following specific recommendations:

  1. The Review considers extending the Act to embed a broader, public health approach that supports early intervention and prevention with the aim to improve services and access to services, particularly for children and young people.
  2. The principles in any new Act should explicitly recognise the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability (UNCRPD).
  3. Any new Act should embed a requirement to develop strategic plans and report on data and outcomes of mental health services and demand for these services, including data specific to children and young people.