Commencement of Code of Practice for Designated Agencies and Adoption Service Providers
A new Code of Practice commences on 1 October 2025 for designated agencies and adoption service providers, as introduced by the Children’s Guardian Amendment (Code of Practice) Regulation 2024.
Compliance with the new Code of Practice is a requirement for achieving and maintaining accreditation to provide statutory and supported out-of-home care (OOHC) and adoption services in New South Wales.
The new Code of Practice has been introduced to ensure designated agencies and adoption service providers comply with the national Child Safe Standards, and is underpinned by the following set of principles that guide the services provided by designated agencies and adoption service providers:
- Best interests of children
- Right to safety
- Trauma-informed care
- Right to participate
- Diversity and inclusion
- Openness in adoption
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young Persons Principle
- Principle of active efforts
The OCG has developed an Implementation Handbook (PDF, 5.19MB) to assist designated agencies and adoption service providers to comply with the Code of Practice.
