The Solutions

What are the solutions?

We need a new approach. An approach that trusts Aboriginal people to deal with Aboriginal business, one that includes genuine collaboration and partnership, empowers communities and involves long-term all of government support across the country.

This is the purpose of Family Matters.

We must secure access to quality universal and targeted services necessary for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to thrive. We need to make sure that our laws, policies and practices are culturally safe and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and, to ensure this happens and we find the solutions, governments and services need to be held accountable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have grown up safe, well and cared for in their families, communities and cultural traditions, for thousands of years. Evidence shows the value of unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child-rearing practices, alongside the critical importance of continuity of cultural identity to the wellbeing of Indigenous children.

Without real change now, the story remains the same. It’s time for a new approach.

Family Matters – Strong communities. Strong culture. Stronger children. produces an annual report that examines what governments are doing to turn the tide on over-representation and the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to ensure that they grow up safe and cared for in family, community and culture.

The Family Matters Roadmap presents an evidence-based vision and clear strategies for fundamental change to policy and practice. It calls on governments and non-government organisations to respond to the pressing call to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to arrest these negative trajectories and eliminate over-representation in out-of-home care within a generation (by 2040).

Family Matters is taking a comprehensive, sustainable, long-term approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child safety and wellbeing.

It is supported by four key Building Blocks that are crucial steps in the pathway towards all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enjoying their rights to grow up safe and cared for in family, community and culture.