Aboriginal-led Data Sharing: Child Protection and Out-of-home Care Statistics

The Prevention element of ATSICPP relates to supporting families and building capacity in communities to care safely for their children. This will protect future generations from the devastating effects of removal from family, community, culture and country [Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) 2017].

The measures reported here include:

• Children and young people reported at risk of significant harm (and by assessed issues)
• Number and percentage of children seen by a caseworker following a ROSH report
• Children and young people entering OOHC (and first time entry)
• Population rates for the above (and comparison between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children)

The Partnership element of the ATSICPP ensures that participation extends beyond consultation to genuine inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives in the decisions that are made about children at all stages of child and family welfare decision-making (SNAICC 2017).

The measure reported here includes:

• Funding commitment for different program areas by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) service providers and non-ACCO service providers

The Placement element of the ATSICPP sets a hierarchy of preferred placement options of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care. The placement hierarchy is designed to ensure the highest possible level of connection to family, community, culture and country is maintained for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child in out-of-home care.

The measures reported here include:

• Children and young people in OOHC (and by number of placements and length of time in care)
• Children and young people in statutory OOHC placed with non-government organisations (NGOs)
• Aboriginal children and young people in OOHC by placement type and Aboriginality of caregiver
• Proportion of Aboriginal children in OOHC who were living with Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal relatives or kin, or other Aboriginal carers
• Population rates of children and young people in OOHC (and comparison between Aboriginal vs non-Aboriginal children)

The Participation element of the ATSICPP ensures the participation of children, parents and family members in decisions regarding the care and protection of their children. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families have the best knowledge about the caring strengths and risks that exist in their own families and communities. Involving family members in decision-making can help to widen circles of support for parents and children, identify placement options with family and community and ensure families take responsibility for plans to address safety concerns that are of their own making (SNAICC 2017).

The measures reported here include:

• Number and percentage of children and young people under parental responsibility to Minister (PRM) who required a case plan, and those who had one
• Number and percentage of young people aged 15-17 years under PRM who required a leaving care plan, and those who had one
• Number and percentage of Aboriginal children and young people under PRM who required a cultural support plan, and those who had one
• Number and percentage of children and young people with documented case plan, cultural support plan and leaving care plan by case management responsibility (NSW only)

The Connection element of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) relates to support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care to maintain or re-establish connections to their family, community, culture and country. This element is considered especially relevant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children placed with non-Aboriginal carers (SNAICC 2017).

The measures reported here include:

• Children and young people who exited OOHC, exited to Guardianship and Restoration
• Children and young people who exited to Restoration and did not return to OOHC within 12 months
• Children and young people who exited OOHC, Guardianship and Restoration during the current financial year as a proportion of the OOHC population from the previous financial year
• Children and young people on Guardianship Order
• Proportion of Aboriginal children who were living with Aboriginal relatives or kin, other Aboriginal caregivers