The ACT Government has responded to the final report of a review into the circumstances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the child protection system, agreeing to all 35 recommendations and sub-recommendations.
Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the review was established with the governance and methodology co-designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and key Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
“We know Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the experts in their own lives,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“It is now time for the ACT Government to demonstrate that we have not just listened, but we are acting to address the unacceptable over representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the child protection system,” she said.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the Report, entitled Our Booris, Our Way made recommendations for systemic change in child protection and out of home care to safely reduce the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people entering care; improve their experience and outcomes while in care; and where appropriate, exit children from care.
“Each of the actions listed under these recommendations contribute to a systemic reform of the child protection system in the ACT,” she said.
“We will work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the Our Booris, Our Way implementation oversight committee to establish an ongoing reporting framework that captures the intent of these systemic changes and monitors progress.”
Ms Stephen-Smith thanked the Review Steering Committee as well as all community members who contributed to Our Booris, Our Way.
The 110-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.