South Australia’s dedicated foster and kinship carers will be further supported through a new, innovative program to be trialled in South Australia for the first time.

Foster carer Danielle O’Reilly is one of a growing number of South Australians aged 30 to 39 putting up their hands to become carers.

A SAPOL detective, Catholic Education SA and a group of young people with lived experience in the child protection system providing advice to the State Government are among 13 winners being celebrated at the first annual SA Child Protection Awards.

A local police officer, a southern suburbs primary school and an Aboriginal yarning group have been named among more than 50 finalists in the inaugural South Australian Child Protection Awards.