SNAICC has undertaken significant work to consider what is needed for the development and delivery of services that are integrated to respond holistically to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. This work supports the commitment of all Australian governments through the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children to employ a public health model that integrates family services across the lifecycle and spectrum of needs.
Through this work, SNAICC has focussed on what is necessary in service coordination and collaboration that promotes access for and responds effectively to the needs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. SNAICC had identified important priorities in service integration initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, including: the development of genuine and respectful partnerships; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and community control in service design and delivery; and focussing initiatives around the critical early years of children’s lives.
SNAICC has specifically considered issues in the development of the 38 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Family Centres that are being established around the country. The recent SNAICC policy paper, Coming Together, discusses successes, challenges and priorities in the early development of these centres as sites for integrated service delivery that meets the needs of our children and families.
Relevant documents:
- Caring for our Children and Families: Profiling Child and Family Centres – SNAICC report August 2012
- Coming Together: The journey towards effective integrated services – Discussion Paper June 2012
- Integrated service delivery for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children & families – Literature review March 2012
- Opening Doors Through Partnerships – SNAICC Report April 2012
Who to contact
For more information on SNAICC’s work supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Family Centres, contact:
Emma Sydenham: emma.sydenham@snaicc.org.au
