The Fourth Action Plan (2018-2020) under the National Framework was endorsed by Commonwealth, state and territory Ministers in December 2018 and recently launched by the Federal Government in late January 2019.
This is the first Action Plan under the Framework that has a standalone focus on improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are either at risk of entering, or in contact with child protection systems.
At the recent launch, Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Michelle Landry said, “This is in recognition of the fact that the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out- of-home care is ten times that of non-Indigenous children”.
The four key priorities of the Fourth Action Plan are:
- Improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children at risk of entering, or in contact with child protection systems.
- Improving prevention and early intervention through joint service planning and investment.
- Improving outcomes for children in out-of-home care by enhancing placement stability through reunification and other permanent care options.
- Improving organisations’ ability to keep children and young people safe from abuse.
Key achievements under the Fourth Action Plan 2018-2020 include:
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle
- SNAICC – National Voice for our Children has developed a Guide to Support Implementation
