SA child abuse royal commission begins

A royal commission into South Australia's child protection system has begun formal investigations.

The inquiry was announced in August after a Families SA care worker was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with seven preschool children under his care at a residential facility.

Families SA has since suspended 25 carers from working one-on-one with children following an audit of internal staff records, while a further 77 staff have been identified as being of "high concern".

Royal Commissioner Margaret Nyland has called for submissions from anyone with relevant information, before hearings begin in February next year.

The hearings will generally be held in private, although Commissioner Nyland will have the power to declare open sessions if an issue of public interest will be raised.

Commissioner Nyland will report to the government within 12 months on the adequacy of the state's child protection laws and the operations of Families SA.

The inquiry will examine all SA government and non-government organisations which care for children at risk.

It will also address the staffing and resourcing of child protection agencies.

Public submissions must be received by January 31 next year.