introduction of a new power for the chief executive Safe Care and of Child Safety to delegate some or all of their functions and powers in relation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child or young person to an Connection appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entity. Whilst this amendment will enable delegations to be made as soon as the new What is Safe Care and legislation commences, Child Connection? Safe Care and Connection is about ensuring Safety and the non-government sector are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children working closely together to ensure both are and young people who are in care are looked ready before any delegations are made. after in a way that maintains their cultural, community and family connections. The What does self-determination for changes recognise that stronger connections Aboriginal and Torres Strait result in better outcomes for Aboriginal and Islander peoples mean? Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and acknowledges the long-term Self-determination is the process by which a impact of child protection decisions on a child person or community controls their own life, or young person’s identity and connection to so it will mean something different for every culture. individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and community. How does the Child Protection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ Reform Amendment Act 2017 participation and leadership in the decisions (the Amendment Act) support that impact the care and protection of their Safe Care and Connection? children and young people will promote continuity of family and community The Amendment Act introduces new relationships. Therefore the most principles to the administration of the Child appropriate approach to answering this Protection Act 1999 (the Act) to recognise question is to respectfully engage with the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people Islander peoples to self-determination and to seek their views. acknowledge the long-term effects of decisions on identity and connection with What is happening with the family and culture. Recognised Entity? It also incorporates the five elements of the The amendments remove all references to a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Recognised Entity. From the date of Placement Principle — prevention, commencement, Child Safety and other partnership, placement, participation and agencies will no longer be required to consult connection — requiring the principles to be with a Recognised Entity or have them applied when a person is undertaking a participate in decision-making. function under the Act. Funding from this program is transitioning Another way the Amendment Act supports to the new Family Participation Program, Safe Care and Connection will be through the which changes the focus from supporting
Safe Care and Connection What is Safe Care and Connection? Safe Care and Connection is about ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who are in care are looked after in a way that maintains their cultural, community and family connections. The changes recognise that stronger connections result in better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and acknowledges the long-term impact of child protection decisions on a child or young person’s identity and connection to culture. How does the Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2017 (the Amendment Act) support Safe Care and Connection? The Amendment Act introduces new principles to the administration of the Child Protection Act 1999 (the Act) to recognise the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to self-determination and acknowledge the long-term effects of decisions on identity and connection with family and culture. It also incorporates the five elements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle — prevention, partnership, placement, participation and connection — requiring the principles to be applied when a person is undertaking a function under the Act. Another way the Amendment Act supports Safe Care and Connection will be through the introduction of a new power for the chief executive of Child Safety to delegate some or all of their functions and powers in relation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child or young person to an appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entity. Whilst this amendment will enable delegations to be made as soon as the new legislation commences, Child Safety and the non-government sector are working closely together to ensure both are ready before any delegations are made. What does self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples mean? Self-determination is the process by which a person or community controls their own life, so it will mean something different for every individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person and community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ participation and leadership in the decisions that impact the care and protection of their children and young people will promote continuity of family and community relationships. Therefore the most appropriate approach to answering this question is to respectfully engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people to seek their views. What is happening with the Recognised Entity? The amendments remove all references to a Recognised Entity. From the date of commencement, Child Safety and other agencies will no longer be required to consult with a Recognised Entity or have them participate in decision-making. Funding from this program is transitioning to the new Family Participation Program, which changes the focus from supporting