MEDIA RELEASE
MARCH 11, 2009
Welfare experts examine Aboriginal services policy
The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) today renewed its
commitment to an Aboriginal welfare policy that would empower Aboriginal
communities to make critical decisions about the safety and wellbeing of their own
children.
Under the policy, developed by national Aboriginal peak body the Secretariat of
National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), a new network of Aboriginal-
controlled community organisations would be established to operate culturally safe
programs, including out-of-home care services.
The policy is in line with recommendations contained within Justice Wood’s recent
report into child protection services in NSW and the State Government’s recent
response, which emphasises the need for partnerships and a shared responsibility
approach to child protection.
Community service organisations gathered in Sydney today to examine the
framework and to discuss the way forward.
SNAICC Executive Officer Julian Pocock said it is absolutely imperative that
Aboriginal communities have a central role in the decisions that affect the protection
and wellbeing of their own children.
“For that to happen, the Government would need to look at developing and funding
Aboriginal agencies to take on core child protection functions, including assessing
risk and providing specialist advice on alternative care options for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander children,” Mr Pocock said.
“It would also require a commitment from existing community service organisations to
partner with local Aboriginal agencies.
“The best way to support vulnerable families and children is for Indigenous and non-
Indigenous services to pool their resources, expertise and knowledge and work
together, so that serious situations of risk can be quickly and properly identified with
safe placement options for children, and situations which can be resolved through
additional family support can be managed without the need to remove children from
their families.”
MEDIA CONTACTS
Julian Pocock
Bill Pritchard
Sylvia Ghaly
Executive Officer
Executive Officer
Manager: Policy & Membership
SNAICC
AbSEC
ACWA
M: 0419 379 764
M: 0408 888 698
0407 755 906
NEWS 
