21 November 2024
Allies for Children welcomes the release of SNAICC’s 2024 Family Matters Report which reports overwhelming evidence that community led solutions are the most effective in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children and families vulnerable to child protection.
“The report shines a light on the worsening over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems, and crucially the solutions that work.” said Chief Executive Officer of Life Without Barriers, Claire Robbs.
Since its inception in 2016, the Family Matters Report has been a landmark report for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, striving to eliminate the over-representation of First nations children in out-of-home care (OOHC).
“With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children now 5.6 times more likely than non-Indigenous children to be subject to child protection notifications, and 10.8 times more likely to be placed in OOHC, the need for transformative change is more urgent than ever,” said Ms Robbs.
“We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are disproportionately impacted by child protection systems and the consequences of these inequities are devastating, not only for children, but for entire families and communities.”
The report highlights that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be at heightened risk of removal, with the rate of children in OOHC rising from 54.2 to 57.2 per 1,000 between 2019 and 2023.
This trajectory is expected to worsen, with the Productivity Commission estimating that the rate will reach 63 per 1,000 by 2031—far off course from the goal to reduce this rate by 45% by 2031 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Importantly, the report calls for stronger implementation of the Family Matters Building Blocks and the Priority Reforms of the National Agreement, which provide a clear roadmap for governments to invest in community-led solutions.
The report also underscores the critical need for investment in community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) to deliver services and interventions.
“Allies for Children have collectively pledged to transition Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children in our care to community controlled organisations (ACCOs) and to also step away from competing for services for First Nations children.” said Ms Robbs.
“The evidence is very clear from the Family Matters report. We can work in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to realise a future where children and young people can grow in culture and with kin,” said Ms Robbs.
Allies for Children stands in solidarity with SNAICC and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the ongoing efforts for justice, equity, and the protection of children.
“We call on all levels of government and non-Indigenous service providers to work together towards meaningful and urgent reforms that are long overdue.”
You can read the 2024 Family Matters Report here.
About the Allies for Children
A committed partnership of chief executives working across the child, youth and family sector to ignite long term, positive outcomes for vulnerable children, young people, and families. The child protection system has traditionally been built on responding to crisis. Together, Allies for Children advocate for better policies and systems to ignite genuine reform in child protection that moves service responses towards early intervention and family support. At all times, our efforts are in consultation with people and communities with lived experience.
Our immediate responsibility is to respond to the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in out-of-home care. We partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, community-controlled organisations, peaks and government to realise reforms that reduce the rates of children being removed from their family, ensuring the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to grow up safe with kin, culture, and community.
Allies for Children is united to inspire positive change, in the belief that all children and young people deserve to be protected and nurtured. We carry this responsibility together.
Media Contact:
Tabatha Feher on 0436655034
Catherine Waterworth on 0466554042
Image: Logos of the organisations which make up for the Allies for Children: Life Without Barriers, Act for Kids, OzChild, Mackillop Family Services, Key Assets, Barnardos Australia, The Benevolent Society.
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