Family Matters report shows when ACCOs are in child protection, outcomes are better

When Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) have authority in child protection, where families have a voice in decision-making, and where there are accessible, culturally safe child and family services and supports, there are better outcomes for children and families, a new report from SNAICC -National Voice for our Children has shown.

The Family Matters Report 2022, recently released, explores the most effective measures being taken to reduce the “unacceptable trend” of increasing rates of removal amongst First Nations families, showing that when local communities are empowered and resourced, as is the case with ACCOs, numbers of children removed into the care of others reduces. 

ACCOs, SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said, do “amazing work” in developing initiatives to drive positive change. 

“I also acknowledge action from some jurisdictions in progressing our key calls for change, with some genuine efforts to empower communities and transfer authority to ACCOs,” she continued.

“But what we aren’t seeing is transformative action and the resourcing of significant commitments that have been made at a Federal, State and Territory level. We need to see  concerted efforts to break down silos and implement collaboration across government bureaucracies with ACCOs and their representative organisations such as SNAICC.”

Importantly for those in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, Ms Liddle said there must be a commitment made to early years services because they have “a proven track record in strengthening families and children, helping break the nexus between child protection and the youth justice systems.”

Most recent figures show over 22,000 First Nations children in out-of-home care, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children over ten times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children.

Only 40.7 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care were placed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers – the lowest proportion in at least 20 years.

“Notably, the fact that the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children increases as interventions become more intrusive – from notifications and substantiations through to removals – emphasises the inherent inequality within these systems,” said Dr Paul Gray, co-chair of Family Matters. 

“This clearly demonstrates systemic issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, with child protection systems focused on surveillance and intervention rather than investing in effective, culturally safe supports for families in need.”

“The Family Matters report has clear evidence-based recommendations that will transform these failing systems and change the trajectory for many of our children and families.”

Key recommendations from the report include: 

• Transferring authority to First Nations communities
• Investing more in ACCOs to design and deliver family support services 
• Legislating for a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to “oversee and report on the rights of our children”.

Safe and Supported, The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031 also offers a path forward, Ms Liddle said. 

“For the first time we have a framework for protecting children that was designed with us, where we had a say,” she explained.

“But for this to work the commitments that have been made have to be funded with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention.”

Access the Family Matters Report here. 

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