The federal, state and territorial governments have approved a new strategy to enhance the safety and welfare of children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and lessen their disproportionate representation in the child protection system.
All governments have agreed to cooperate “in cooperation” with Aboriginal leaders to address “child abuse and neglect and its intergenerational repercussions” as part of the eight-point approach.
Tuesday saw the action plan’s unveiling in Canberra by Ministers of Social Services Amanda Rishworth and Indigenous Australians Linda Burney.
As part of a 10-year national framework known as “Safe and Supported,” it will be complemented by a second action plan that strives to address the needs of all young people.
Governments have committed to concentrating on eight critical tasks under the First Nations-specific Plan. These include putting Indigenous self-determination at the core of systems and developing a sustainable Indigenous child and family sector workforce.
Investing “adequate and coordinated” funds in community-controlled and culturally support for the children and their families, enhancing legal assistance for those involved in the child protection system, and appointing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioners in areas that do not already have one are additional actions.
About 43% of Australia’s 45,300 youngsters in out-of-home care are Indigenous.
The goal of Closing the Gap’s Target 12 is to cut the percentage of chilren of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in ‘out-of-home care’ by 45% by 2031. Still, the most recent data indicates that rates may worsen rather than improve.
Ms Burney thanked the Leadership Group and the National Voice for Children for their collaboration with the government in developing the new strategy, saying it reflected the government’s commitment to lowering the proportion of First Nations children in out-of-home care.
To keep more First Nations families together and secure, Ms Burney added that the Plan strongly emphasises early intervention and preventative approaches at the child, family, and system levels.
Children have the right to develop in a secure setting supported by their family, community, and culture, according to Ms Rishworth.
She stated, “These Action Plans resulted from a thorough methodology centred on engagement, empowerment, and incorporating the voice of youth and people with lived experience.
Through improved policy and program integration and coordination, as well as a move toward early intervention and targeted support, “Safe and Supported” seeks to achieve systems reform.
$30 million was allocated in the previous budget for five programs under the “Safe and Supported” framework.
