A new report card has been critical of the government’s failure to implement reform and reduce the increasing number of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.
A scathing report card reveals the NSW government has failed to reform the child protection system and keep First Nations children with their communities and culture as the number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care continues to rise.
Of the 118 children housed in emergency accommodation – hotels, motels, caravan parks and short-term rentals – two-thirds were Indigenous, data provided by the department showed. Chief executive of the NSW/ACT Aboriginal Legal Service Karly Warner said the report card showed a “continuing disappointing trend” with previous report cards, the previous government, and the current government.
There were 272 caseworkers who identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander as of June 30, making up just 12 per cent of the workforce. Lead of the Indigenous child protection hub at the University of Technology Sydney Dr Paul Gray said the current one-size-fits-all approach was leaving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families behind.
“We know how important connection and identity is for the life-long wellbeing of children and young people and their families. It’s really important that we have a system that values that and guarantees every child their identity and their cultural rights. And unfortunately, we don’t see that in the current system,” Gray said.Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington acknowledged the child protection system was failing Aboriginal children and families.
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