A rally was held outside Busselton's Child Protection and Family Support (CPFS) office this week, as part of the National Day of Action. Protesters have compared modern Government removal of children into foster care to the forced removal of the Stolen Generation.

They are calling for a review of legislation which enables children to be forcibly removed, and for more support to keep families together.

In Western Australia, the authority to remove children comes under the Children and Community Services Act 2004.

CPFS has a dual role to protect children and young people from abuse and neglect, as well as support families and people at risk or in crisis.

Family support includes the Strong Families Program, Best Beginnings, and Parent Support.

CPFS has a formal process for lodging complaints, which includes contacting the director of your local office, contacting the complaints management unit, and seeking external review from the Ombudsman of Western Australia.

The Advocate for Children in Care specifically helps foster children rather than their parents, carers or case workers.

More information can be found at www.dcp.wa.gov.au