The Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016 (OAB Act) establishes two new oversight and advocacy bodies – the Child Development Council and the Commissioner for Children and Young People. It also continues two existing bodies – the Guardian for Children and Young People and the Child Death and Serious Injury Review Committee.

This report aims to help newly appointed members of the Council become familiar with their statutory obligations by:

  1. summarising the provisions contained in the OAB Act and the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Regulations 2017
  2. explaining the scope of powers of the four oversight and advocacy bodies and their individual statutory requirements
  3. identifying opportunities for collaboration
  4. highlighting any anomalies or inconsistencies.