Aboriginal children belong in their families and communities. We know that culture and community are an anchor for kids. This sense of identity keeps them safe and grounded.
Yet in NSW, government authorities remove Aboriginal children from their homes at 10 times the rate of non-Indigenous kids. Nationally, we are moving backwards from the target of reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal kids in out-of-home care.
The out-of-home care system causes damage to the very children it claims to protect. Removing children from their home increases their risk of being imprisoned in juvenile detention. And despite the incredible strength of these young people, they are far more likely to experience homelessness and teen pregnancy than their peers – and then their own kids are likely to be taken away.
The Family Is Culture Review
In 2019, the Family Is Culture Review laid out the failings of the so-called child protection system. It was an independent review of the experiences of Aboriginal children, young people and their families who were in the system.
It exposed a system riddled with racism and severely lacking in accountability. The review report includes personal experiences and case studies, including harrowing details of newborn children being taken from their mothers’ arms in the hospital; mums being prevented from breastfeeding their babies; and concerned relatives’ phone calls to the department going unanswered. These are stories that are heard all too often in community.
Crucially, the Family Is Culture Review Report laid out a path to reform the system and improve the experiences of Aboriginal children and their families. Led by Cobble Cobble woman Professor Megan Davis, it made 126 recommendations to reform the system – including (but not limited to) strengthening self-determination, investing in family support services, and increasing government accountability and public oversight.
Holding government to account
Together with AbSec – NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation, we have developed a community framework for monitoring and reporting on the progress of Family Is Culture reforms. Using the framework, we have released the following Community Report Cards:
The Family Is Culture Review laid out the path to reform back in 2019. For every year that the government delays meaningful action, hundreds of Aboriginal children will continue to be removed from their families.
The ALS and AbSec will continue advocating for the full and meaningful implementation of Family Is Culture recommendations and associated reforms until all Aboriginal children have the opportunity to grow up safe and strong in their own homes, families and communities.
