by Candice Butller
I was honoured to be involved in a webinar alongside Muriel Bamblett on the 18thof July 2018 titled ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination in child protection’. The purpose of the webinar was to outline the recent initiatives that support self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and agencies in child protection matters. Throughout my presentation I highlighted the following significant initiatives in Queensland that have occurred to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination in child protection:
- The Child Protection Reform Amendment Act Section 5C – Additional Principles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children
- The embedding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principles into both legislation and practice
- The trials of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Led Decision Making
- The beginning of conversations in relation to Active Efforts
I concluded my presentation by saying:
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-control is fundamental to self- determination and reflective of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities operated in the past and to this day. Central to the concept is local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or communities controlling and operating legally-incorporated, independent, community- based organisations, in which governance is by elected community members, and with objectives relating to building strength and empowerment in community.
We need to ensure that our families and communities are being involved in every decision relating to the safety and wellbeing of their children in the child protection system. We need our families to be able to say who they would like to be involved and be at the forefront of decision making”.
If you would to listen to the webinar, please follow this link:
To join the conversation – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination in child protection, click on the link:
Please feel free to contact Candice if you have any further questions about the webinar.
