Aboriginal children and young people will soon have their voices, aspirations and priorities represented by an independent peak body in South Australia, with an Aboriginal-led process underway to design and seek feedback on a preferred model.
The Department for Child Protection (DCP) has funded SNAICC – the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children – to consult with South Australian Aboriginal people, communities, and organisations about a model tailored to South Australia.
Consultation workshops have already been held in metropolitan areas as well as Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Ceduna, with Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier to be held over the coming weeks. These workshops are being supported by the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People April Lawrie, with more planned for 2022.
DCP Acting Chief Executive Fiona Ward said the establishment of an Aboriginal peak body was a critical step forward in achieving better outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people.
“South Australian Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders have long advocated for the establishment of a peak body in South Australia, and we are very excited to be one step closer to achieving this goal,” Fiona said.
“Having a peak body for Aboriginal children and young people – that is child-centred in its approach – will ensure that the voices of Aboriginal children and young people are front and centre in our work.
“While we will await the outcomes of the consultation process to determine the exact model, our intention is that the peak body will partner with government to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children and young people in all parts of the child protection system, including those in care.
“And importantly, the peak body will also work to strengthen and support Aboriginal community controlled sector – as we know Aboriginal organisations are best-placed to provide culturally safe and responsive services for Aboriginal children and families.”
The State Government’s commitment to establish an Aboriginal peak body is included in the South Australian Aboriginal Affairs Action Plan 2021-22 and supports achieving Target 12 of Closing the Gap – which seeks to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care by 45% by 2031.
Fiona said it was essential that the process to establish the peak body was Aboriginal-led, with strong engagement and participation from South Australian Aboriginal communities.
“As a department, we look forward to hearing the outcomes of the consultations, and to investing in the implementation of the peak body in 2022.”