Still not enough: more needs to be done to support children and families

By PETER ROWE
EDITOR

Here at ibnews.com.au we are always searching for facts.

Whether that be in a news story, a feel good yarn, or one of tragedy.

And last week we came across some pretty disturbing facts, courtesy of the SNAICC National Voice for our Children’s Family Matters Report for 2025.

To explain further, before we throw some very troubling numbers at you, the Family Matters report “examines government actions to address the over-representation and the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection systems.”

And the report has found that child protection systems continue to fail Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, exposing them to ongoing harm and trauma.

Frightening words.

So let’s get to the numbers: the key findings of the 2024 report, which should shame both Federal and State governments and both sides of the political spectrum.

1. There are 22,908 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care, which represents 41 per cent of all children in out-of-home care, despite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children making up only six per cent of the total child population in Australia.

2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 10.8 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children.

3. Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care:

• 41 per cent are living with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relatives or carers:
• 32.2 per cent with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relatives
• 22.1 per cent with non-Indigenous relatives
• 8.9 per cent with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers
• 26.9 per cent with non-Indigenous non-relative carers
• 9 per cent are in residential care

4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 11.5 times more likely to be removed into out-of-home care as infants.

5. Only 15 per cent of government funding is spent on prevention, such as Family Support Services, the rest is spent on child protection and out-of-home care services.

6. Only six per cent of child protection funding is directed towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.

Clearly the system is failing and failing badly, ye it would seem government departments continue down this road, a road that is only going to get worse unless there is a serious reset.

SNAICC recommendations focus on four key areas to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

1. Increase funding for ACCO-led prevention programs and establish national integrated early years services, ensuring families have access to quality, culturally safe support.
2. Empower communities to control decisions affecting children by directing funding to ACCOs and implementing family-led decision-making models.
3. End the adoption of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from out-of-home care.
4. Enhance accountability by creating peak bodies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in decision-making, establishing commissioners for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to improve practices to better meet the needs of communities.
5. In the report co-chairs Catherine Liddle and Dr Paul Gray say the solutions are clear.

These solutions have been called for by our communities for years.

The appointment of a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is a step in the right direction.

The authors note that some positive steps have been made in some States, but are also critical of others, notably the NT and Qld, who they have described as ‘regressive’ in their approach to the wellbeing of children.

No State or Territory is doing enough to transform its child protection or family support systems.

Target 12 of the National Agreement aims to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 45 per cent by 2031.

By current standards it is clear that is unachievable unless governments engage more with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families and organisations.

Read the full report here:
https://www.snaicc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/241119-Family-Matters-Report-2024.pdf?mc_cid=93e014cb0d&mc_eid=22ce87b604