Publisher: SNAICC Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care
PO Box 1445 North Fitzroy VIC 3068 ph: 03 9489 8099 snaicc@vicnet.net.au
Intellectual property rights: The project was conducted jointly by UTS and SNAICC and funded by Barnardos Australia. These partners are equal in relation to the intellectual property inherent in the work with the exception of the LAC tools, which are held by the UK Department of Health.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA); Rumbalara Family Services (Victoria), Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative (GEGAC) Victoria, Hunter Aboriginal Children’s Services (HACS ) NSW, Yorganop Association Incorporated (WA), Aboriginal Family Support Services (AFSS) SA; Berry Street, MacKillop Family Services and Kilmany UnitingCare (now referred to as UnitingCare Gippsland) for organizing and participating in focus groups for this research. While based on the themes and issues raised in focus groups, any errors within this report are the responsibility of the author. The views expressed in this report are not those of any individual or organization which participated but rather the author’s interpretation of themes and views expressed.
Particular thanks to and acknowledgement of: Barnados and SNAICC for their generous funding of this research project. The LAC Project Australia’s support for Aboriginal agencies by supplying Looking After Children (LAC), Looking After Children Electronic System (LACES) and training and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander out of home care organizations
Focus groups and individual out of home care worker participants: Sheree Limbrick, Meaghan Holden, Sandy Conrow, Lisa Willmott, Dawn Hill-Allan, Marg Proudfoot, Michelle Baker, Marcus Stewart, Sue Williams, Kerrie McCormick,Yolanda Glenn, Mika Akune, Alma Morgan, Rebecca Crawford, Sharon Mongta, Karen Fox, May Pearce, Sally Sibley, James Gooch, Belinda Hill, Chris Craig, Alice Mawdsley, Rhiannon Carvill, David Parker, Christine Thornton-Gaylard, Helen Gray (since passed away), Ted Lancaster, Sharron Williams, Lizz Kiltie, Gail McKay, Joshua Warrior, Amanda Tonkin, Dawn Wallam, Peter O’Dea, Damien Gill, Kathleen Pinkerton, Donna Klein-Kawane, Christa Bartjen-Westermann.
Representatives from Government Departments: Dean Daylight (Principal Advisor – Child Safety, Youth and Families Policy and Performance) Department of Communities (Queensland); Neil Harwood (Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services Unit) and Jenny Lintern (Unit Manager, ATSIS Unit OOHC) Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services (Office for Children, Youth and Family Services – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services Unit) (ACT); Ruth Miller (Manager, Aboriginal Strategy Unit Families) (SA); Sue Gillett (Member of Child Protection/Out of Home Care “Team”) Department of Community Services (Victoria); Jenni Collard (Executive Director – Aboriginal Engagement and Coordination Directorate) Department for Child Protection (WA); Trish Berry, Department of Human Services (Victoria).
The Reference Group for this project: Jude Morowitzer (Barnados), Sue Tregeagle (Barnados), Julie Higgins (SNAICC Project Manager), Julian Pocock (Project Manager establishment stage), Sue Beecher (SNAICC Project Officer).
The Research Team: Focus groups were conducted by Terri Libesman (UTS, Sydney), Sue Beecher (SNAICC) and Julie Higgins (SNAICC). Interviews were conducted by Terri Libesman, Costa vgoustinos and Sue Beecher. Research assistance was provided by Costa Avgoustinos. The Report was written by Terri Libesman.
