SNAICC, the National Peak Body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, is urging mainstream providers of out-of-home care (OOHC) services to boldly commit to return children to culture, community and kin, following the release of their Sector Transformation Principles Framework.
The framework provides guidance to organisations who are looking to transition their OOHC services to Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs). This has shown to get better results for children in child protection systems and more likely to see those children returned to Country and kin. The Framework also aligns with the national reform commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and works to strengthen the ACCO Sector.
SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said this work has been released at a critical time.
“Our children are 10 times more likely to be in care compared to non-Indigenous children. This is a national emergency, and transformation work cannot wait to be implemented any longer.” Ms Liddle said.
“Closing the gap is everyone’s business. The Sector Transformation Principles Framework provides a roadmap to organisations who don’t know where to begin their transformation journey.”
SNAICC’s transformation agenda represents a bold and systemic shift toward ACCO’s leading child and family services that are grounded in culture, self-determination and community.
“ACCOs know what works for our children and families, they have been ready and waiting to take the reins from mainstream services through genuine partnership.
“With the release of this framework, there is no longer any excuse for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to continue bearing the consequences of systems that don’t serve them.
“There is already so much momentum with significant players in the system such as the Allies for Children successfully transitioning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in their care across to ACCOs.
“We’re asking organisations to be on right side of history and help us build a better future for our children.”
Access the Sector Transformation Principles Framework here.
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For all media queries, please contact Charlie Bowcock on 0417 042 308 or media@snaicc.org.au
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