Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their families have thrived for over 60,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing is supported through strong connections to culture, kinship and community. Invasion, the legacy of prior forced removal and the generational effects of being separated from family and culture has negatively impacted the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The effects of this have led to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being greatly impacted by the child protection system, entering out-of-home care at unprecedented levels.
Walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care provides ways for practitioners to be aware of their own cultural lens and the importance of connection to culture, and how to apply cultural understandings to their practice. It invites you to be an ally and enhance communication strategies to align with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing.
By providing higher quality and culturally responsive care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, you can better address these needs and work towards reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.