The origins of the CPPSA

The idea of forming a new child protection society in Australasia arose in early 2021 following a conversation between a group of enthusiastic Child Protection Paediatricians working across Australia and New Zealand. The group discussed the challenges of working as a health professional in child protection, whether at primary, secondary or tertiary level, and acknowledged the additional difficulties facing those working in rural and remote locations. There was a strong belief that doctors working in child protection would benefit from the support of a collegiate network of professionals undertaking similar work, along with easy access to high quality educational resources. The pros and cons of a new society were carefully considered and, in 2022, a survey of almost 200 Australasian Paediatricians was conducted to assess the level of support for a specialist society. The results demonstrated an overwhelmingly positive response.

In February 2023, the Steering Group met in person in a very hot Melbourne and completed the important work of outlining the CPPSA vision, mission and values, along with defining the constitution and Board structure. Three months later, In May 2023, the CPPSA was successfully registered as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) and, in June 2023, the inaugural Board meeting was held. Later that year, in November 2023, charitable status was approved and the CPPSA was registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). 

The CPPSA is now in the exciting position of being able to commence its work of establishing a supportive, collegiate network of doctors working in the field of child protection in Australasia and promoting the education, training and skill development of this group. The Society aims to provide a variety of resources to support the range of individuals practising in this area, from those single-handed doctors working in relative isolation to specialist child protection paediatricians working in tertiary centres. A key component will be to deliver networking and professional development events and opportunities, including the organisation of a regular national medical child protection conference.