SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, Family Matters, Western Australia and the Western Australian Aboriginal Child Protection Council have partnered to make a detailed submission to the Department for Child Protection and Family Support in its periodic review of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (WA).
It is clear that significant and systemic change, including but not limited to legislative reform, is required to repair Western Australia’s child protection system, which has by far the highest over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care of any Australian state or territory.
In the context of a wider overhaul of Western Australia’s child protection system, including recently released strategies regarding early intervention, out-home-care and Aboriginal participation, this current legislative review offers an opportunity to strengthen the child protection framework in a way that recognises and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and cultural authority, and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities to improve outcomes for our children.
