The former Deputy Chief Executive of the SA Child Protection Department was announced as the winner of a Lifetime Achievement Award, along with Nancy Penna at Anglicare SA, at the 2023 South Australian Child Protection Awards on September 8.

The honour comes after Ward – an adjunct professor at the University of South Australia – finished working at the department on July 5, soon after Jackie Bray took over as chief executive in June.

Ward’s previous boss Cathy Taylor quit as chief executive on April 28 after months of intense media attention surrounding the deaths of two children whose families had contact with her agency.

Bray wrote to staff after taking over the top job from Taylor, informing them that Ward would leave the department on July 5.

Her letter to staff said she was looking at how the role of deputy chief executive could be shaped in the future.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was a new addition to the annual SA Child Protection Awards, with department guidelines saying it would this year recognise “the inspiring efforts of an individual who has dedicated 15 years or more to child protection”.

A panel of government and non-government people across the sector judge the awards, hosted by the Department for Child Protection in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Ward also received the prestigious national Public Service Medal in 2022 for her “outstanding contribution and child protection expertise”, an honour awarded by the Governor-General.

Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard attended the weekend award but she and her office were not part of the judging process.

“Fiona Ward has significantly contributed to child protection and family support both in South Australia and across the nation over a long career,” Hildyard said today.

“Ms Ward has worked tirelessly in the child protection and family support sector for more than three decades, and continues to promote the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people.”

The Child Protection Department said Adam Reilly has since been appointed deputy chief executive.

“As the new chief executive, Jackie Bray made the decision to restructure the leadership team and take a fresh approach to the future direction of the department,” a spokesperson said.

“Subsequently, Adam Reilly was appointed to the deputy CE role in August. Adam will have a significant focus and interest in how the department addresses the over representation of Aboriginal children and young people in the child protection system going forward.”

The spokesperson said that the “awards invite nominations from peers and community” and winners are selected using a points-based ranking system.