SNAICC has completed its annual comprehensive review of the progress of states and territories in implementing the full intent of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP).
The reviews (listed below) highlight that there has been significant work undertaken in states and territories to strengthen adherence with the five elements of the ATSICPP, but that overall implementation remains poor and limited. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be separated from family and culture at alarming rates, and there are a lack of comprehensive approaches to involving children, families, and communities in decisions and services related to the care and protection of children.
There are many areas identified in the national review where reform and action are urgently needed to ensure full and holistic implementation.
SNAICC advocates for the full implementation of all five elements of the ATSICPP to ensure that children are supported to be safe and well and to thrive in connection with their families, communities, cultures, and Country. In 2017-18, SNAICC designed resources to support a holistic understanding of the ATSICPP, and promote the laws, policies, processes, and practices required to progress its implementation. This included Understanding and Applying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle – A Resource for Legislation, Policy, and Program Development (2017) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: A Guide to Support Implementation (2018). Based on these resources, SNAICC undertook comprehensive baseline analyses of the progress of states and territories in implementing the full intent of the principle in 2018. Following the baseline analysis, SNAICC undertakes annual state and territory implementation reviews to map the progress and gaps in the implementation of the ATSICPP across Australia.
In undertaking the review, SNAICC uses both quantitative and qualitative analysis to measure and review state and territory compliance against the five elements of the ATSICPP – Prevention, Partnership, Placement, Participation, and Connection – across five interrelated systems elements – Legislation, Policy, Programs, Processes, and Practice. The reviews primarily focus on the actions of child welfare agencies across Australia and therefore do not fully consider the progress of other departments and agencies. However, the child welfare agencies consulted are encouraged to provide information about whole-of-government efforts and the initiatives of other agencies that contribute to implementation of the ATSICPP. The reviews are developed with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations and state and territory governments. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Working Group for the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children guides the development of the reviews.
SNAICC will continue to undertake reviews annually to measure progress towards enhanced implementation of the ATSICPP and to encourage and support vital reforms.
The following is a list of seven state and territory compliance reviews as PDF downloads:
Reviewing Implementation of the ATSICPP 2020 – Australian Capital Territory
Reviewing Implementation of the ATSICPP 2020 – New South Wales
Reviewing Implementation of the ATSICPP 2020 – Northern Territory
Reviewing Implementation of the ATSICPP 2020 – Queensland
Reviewing Implementation of the ATSICPP 2020 – South Australia
Reviewing Implementation of the ATSICPP 2020 – Tasmania
Reviewing Implementation of the ATSICPP 2020 – Victoria
The implementation review for Western Australia is currently in development.
