Qld First Nations kids 8.8 times more likely to be in state care
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland are 8.8 times more likely than non-Indigenous children to be in state care reveals the Family Matters report out today. The annual snapshot released in Canberra this morning includes Queensland data comparing foster, kinship, residential and other care by states and territories.
"The Family Matters report this year shows that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations provide targeted support early and are given authority in child protection there are better outcomes for children and families,” says Queensland Family Matters co-chair Michael Currie.
“Child protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children works better where families have a voice in decision making and where there are accessible culturally safe child and family services and supports. Family Matters looks at what is working to turn the tide of over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations are demonstrating the unacceptable trend of increasing child removals can be halted when local communities are empowered and resourced. We need to see concerted efforts to break down silos and implement collaboration across government bureaucracies with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations and their representative organisations,” says Michael.
Nationally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 10.4 times more likely to be in out-of-home care.. Only 40.7% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in foster, residential other state care were placed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers. This is the lowest proportion in at least 20 years. At 30 June 2021 there were 22,243 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.
“In Queensland, we have only 21 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care placed with family,” says Queensland Family Matters co-chair Aunty Rachel Atkinson. “This is the second lowest rate of placement of First Nations children with family.
"The more we invest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations to work with prevention and early intervention with young people and family the more likely we will see families address concerns and keep children safe in family.
“We want to see no more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids taken away and put in an old model of care. They need to be placed with family and their mob. Governments need to stick with child placement principles to keep children in their families.
“We are making a difference but there has to be a much bigger reduction of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being placed in foster or state care. If children have to be removed it should be non-negotiable that children stay with their culture and extended family,” says Aunty Rachel.
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