Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: Aims and Core Elements

Published June 2013

Executive Summary

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: Aims and Core Elements seeks to respond to ongoing misunderstanding about and partial application of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (the Child Placement Principle).

The Child Placement Principle recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the knowledge and experience to make the best decisions concerning their children and recognises the importance of each child staying connected to their family, community, culture and country.

It promotes a partnership between government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in decision making about children’s welfare. This paper sets out the historical context for and development of the Child Placement Principle. It provides a detailed definition of the Principle and its five constituent elements, which include: prevention; partnership; placement; participation; and connections. Finally, it proposes a series of structural changes that are needed to ensure accountability for compliance. In particular, these centre around the adoption of a legislated definition that comprehensively reflects all elements and a national framework to properly monitor compliance efforts and outcomes.

Full implementation of the Child Placement Principle will require vision and leadership, supported by legislative change, policy and practice improvements, increased resourcing, improved performance reporting, and accountability to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, whose children are so profoundly affected by the interventions government makes on their behalf.