Family Participation Program
We have established the Family Participation Program (FPP) to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to participate in child protection decision making.
The focus of the program is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families with children and young people under the age of 18 years, including those who are at risk of being the subject of a child protection notification or who are already subject to intervention by the statutory child protection system.
Family in this context is defined broadly to include extended kin relationships and significant individuals from the child’s community.
The FPP commenced at the same time as the Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2017 was proclaimed and supports the primary principle that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the right to self-determination, and the implementation of the 5 elements of the Child Placement Principle:
- Prevention - a child has the right to be brought up within the child’s own family and community.
- Participation - a child and the child’s parents and family members have the right to participate in an administrative or judicial process for making a significant decision about a child.
- Partnership - Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander peoples have the right to participate in significant decisions under the Child Protection Act 1999 about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children, including the design and delivery of programs and services.
- Placement - if a child is to be placed in care, the child has a right to be placed with a member of the child’s family group.
- Connection - a child has a right to be supported to develop and maintain a connection with the child’s family, community, culture, traditions and language.
A key function of the FPP is the facilitation of independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Led Decision Making (ATSIFLDM), a process whereby authority is given to parents, families and children to work together to solve problems and lead decision-making in a culturally safe space.
This program operates to keep children safe in a way that optimises a families’ participation and confidence in the process while meeting any statutory requirements.
Family Participation Program providers are as listed below:
| Catchment | Provider | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Kalwun Development Corporation Limited | 07 5578 3434 |
| Logan; Beenleigh / Bayside; Browns Plains | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane Limited (ATSICHS) | 07 3239 5381 |
| Beaudesert | Mununjali Housing and Development Company Ltd. | 07 5541 2575 |
| Brisbane | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane Limited (ATSICHS) | 07 3240 8924 |
| Moreton Bay Sunshine Coast, and Gympie | REFOCUS Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation | 07 5442 3992 |
| Toowoomba and South West | Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company Limited | 07 4632 0338 |
| Ipswich and surrounds | Kambu Medical Centre Ipswich Inc. | 07 3810 3000 |
| South Burnett | CRAICCHS | 07 4169 8600 |
| Rockhampton, Gladestone and Emerald | Central Queensland Indigenous Development Ltd (CQID) | 07 4920 0000 |
| Wide Bay: Maryborough and Bundaberg | Central Queensland Indigenous Development Ltd (CQID) | Bundaberg 07 4313 1194 Hervey Bay 07 4313 1195 |
| Mackay and surrounds (incl. Bowen) | Marabisda Inc. | 07 4848 1062 |
| Townsville | Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health Services | 07 4759 4000 |
| Mount Isa | Aboriginal and Islanders Development and Recreational Women's Association Mount Isa and District Inc. | 07 4743 0440 |
| Palm Island | Palm Island Community Company | 07 4421 4300 |
| Cairns and surrounds, and Cape York | Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd | 07 4080 1000 |
For further information please refer to the FPP factsheet factsheet and brochure brochure .
- Last reviewed
- 9 April 2021
- Last modified
- 15 May 2022
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence