Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have connections to culture, community and Country that nurture and support their wellbeing, spirituality and sense of identity. It is important to the wellbeing of children and their families that these connections are maintained and strengthened.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placement principles
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child placement principles aim to ensure that intervention into family life does not disconnect children from their family and culture. The principles aim to support:
- recognition and protection of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, family members and communities in child welfare matters
- self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in child welfare matters; and
- reduction in the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system.
In practice, it means that the order of preference for placement options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people is as follows:
- family and kin networks
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander non-related carers in the child's community
- carers in another Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community
- non-Indigenous carers, provided they are able to maintain the child's connections to their family, community and cultural identity.
There is strong support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be supported by (or transitioned with their carer to) an accredited Aboriginal community-controlled organisations delivering out-of-home care where possible.