Acwa Welcomes Aboriginal Welfare Agency Milestone

MEDIA RELEASE

ACWA Welcomes Aboriginal Welfare Agency Milestone

The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) has today welcomed the recognition of the Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Corporation as an accredited provider of quality out-of-home care services.

The Casino-based organisation is the first Aboriginal out-of-home care agency in NSW to achieve accreditation through the NSW Children's Guardian's Out-of-Home Care Quality Improvement Program and received its official stamp of approval during a presentation at NSW Parliament House today.

By law, any organisation wishing to operate out-of-home care services in NSW must be accredited by the Children's Guardian's Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.

ACWA CEO Andrew McCallum said Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Corporation is to be congratulated on its commitment to ensuring Aboriginal children and young people who are unable to live with their families receive a quality standard of care and protection.

"Today's accreditation acknowledges the professional capacity of this agency to focus on the needs of children and young people in care and ensure their rights and wellbeing are at the heart of every decision that will affect their futures," Mr McCallum said.

The NSW Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care Secretariat (AbSec) has also welcomed the Ngunya Jarjum accreditation, with Executive Officer Bill Pritchard describing the occasion as a defining moment for NSW Aboriginal agencies.

"Considering the over-representation of Aboriginal children and young people in care, I hope Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Corporation's example encourages more Aboriginal agencies in NSW to follow its lead to help Aboriginal kids," he said.

The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies is the New South Wales peak body representing non-government organisations providing services to vulnerable children, young people and their families. The organisation has been operating for 50 years and has more than 100 member agencies.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Andrew McCallum, CEO ACWA
Mob: 0409 221 414

Bill Pritchard, Executive Officer, AbSec
Mob: 0408 888 698

For all other media enquiries please contact:
Libby McCalman
Communications Officer, ACWA
Mob: 0418 659 525
E: [email protected]

SOURCE: Association of Children's Welfare Agencies