Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Our commitment

We are committed to eliminating the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care. We acknowledge that we need to work in a different way to improve the life outcomes of vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and set the right conditions so each child can reach their full potential and thrive.

We are committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to keep children and young people safe within their own families and communities wherever possible.

When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people need to live away from home for their own protection, we are committed to ensuring their cultural identity and relationship with their families and communities is maintained. Together we take a broad, holistic and cultural perspective to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

The Child Protection Act 1999 requires that:  

• the way we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people keeps them connected with their family, community and culture
• we respect the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to self determination
• we support children, young people and their families to participate in decision making
• we align all decisions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to the five elements of the Child Placement Principle (Partnership, Connection, Prevention, Participation, Placement).

Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak

QATSICPP is Queensland's independent, peak body representing the safety and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. It provides leadership in:

• advocacy, lobbying and representation for its members
• the development of policies and strategies to resource and strengthen the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled child protection agencies
• promoting and advocating the rights, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families through effective partnerships and strategic collaborations.

For more information, contact QATSICPP.

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care

SNAICC is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It provides an online resource for supporting carers and becoming a carer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

Topics include:

• looking after yourself
• rights of the child
• connecting to culture
• caring for kids
• social and emotional wellbeing.

For more information, contact SNAICC.