Page 1969 - Week 07 - Thursday, 13 August 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
It is now time for the government to demonstrate that we have not just listened but we are acting to address the unacceptable over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the child protection system. The government has agreed in full to 28 recommendations and sub-recommendations and agreed in principle to a further seven. One recommendation has been noted.
With the foresight of the steering committee in taking an iterative approach to the review, we have already made progress on many of the interim recommendations, and this is reflected in the government’s response. Other recommendations require more time to undertake the necessary policy or legislative changes. Some others require a whole-of-government response, understanding that protecting children and supporting their families is a whole-of-government, whole-of-community responsibility.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child placement principle is a nationally recognised policy and practice framework that defines the way jurisdictions engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and community in child protection decision-making and support options. SNAICC’s 2019 review of the implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child placement principle for the ACT found:
The Children and Youth Protection Services … has demonstrated significant recent engagement with improving compliance with all elements of the ATSICPP.
Key policy reforms have continued through this period, including the Our Booris, Our Way review and the A Step Up for Our Kids strategy. All interim recommendations of the review are in progress or have been completed, with the ACT Government driving some important improvements in early intervention.
This is now core training for all child protection workers. More than 162 people attended training in 2019, improving their knowledge and understanding of the context, history and reason for the placement principle. The placement principle has been further embedded in policy and practice through the development of several practice guides.
This has been supported by the appointment of key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positions and expertise in child and youth protection services; an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander principle practitioner who is responsible for undertaking systemic reviews and analysis of practice; an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practice leader who has a key role in embedding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child placement principle within the directorate and ensuring that culturally responsive practice remains at the forefront of decision-making; a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander senior policy officer who is responsible for the development of a strategy to implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child placement principle into child and youth protection services’ policy and procedures; and a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander senior training and development officer who has responsibility for delivering the cultural development program for CYPS staff, along with other training programs that continue to support improved practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video