Family Participation Program
The Family Participation Program (FPP) provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to participate in child protection decision making across the state.
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.
The FPP is a free and confidential service that works for a family independently of Child Safety. The FPP can support a family in their dealings with the department in decisions that affect them and their children.
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 delivers on a critial element from the Our Way Action Plan and Changing Tracks Strategy, which 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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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. Families can self-refer to the program by contacting their local provider from the list below.
The Family Participation Program is delivered state-wide by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander providers 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 3240 8900 select option 3 |
| Beaudesert | Kalwun Development Corporation Limited | 07 5520 8600 |
| Brisbane | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane Limited (ATSICHS) | 07 3240 8900 select option 3 |
| 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 | Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Service Ltd (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 |
| Torres Strait Islands | Mua Kosker Sorority Inc | 07 4069 1663 |
| 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 | Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd | 07 4080 1000 |
| Cape York | Cape York Remote Area Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Care Advisory Association Inc (RAATSICC) | 1300 663 411 |
| Cooktown | Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation | 07 4069 5412 |
For further information please refer to the FPP factsheet factsheet and brochure brochure or contact ATSIFamilies@cyjma.qld.gov.au
- Last reviewed
- 10 January 2023
- Last modified
- 6 February 2023
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence