The release of the Family Matters Report 2024 delivers sobering insights into the state of child protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It reveals the ongoing challenges faced by First Nations children and communities and highlights the urgent need for systemic reform and better funding allocations – shifting from crisis-driven responses to preventative and early intervention services, and greater investment in services delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
Disturbingly the 2024 report again shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over-represented at every stage of the child protection process, with 500 more children and young people in out-of-home care versus last year.
Despite this increase, the report underscores a critical imbalance in funding. Only 6% of all child protection funding is directed to Aboriginal-led groups and organisations, even though they are best placed to deliver culturally appropriate and community-led services. This disparity raises important questions about our collective commitment to self-determination and the ability to effectively support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children within their families and communities.
As a founding partner of Allies for Children, OzChild has made a commitment to enable the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for their children in accordance with the principles of Closing the Gap.
Catherine Liddle & Dr. Paul Gray – Co-Chairs National Family Matters Leadership Group“…Non-Indigenous organisations have a major role to play in transitioning opportunity and resources to our Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs), so our children can be supported and cared for by mob. The recent Allies for Children public commitment in September 2024 to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in OOHC will be cared for by the community-controlled sector is a welcome step.”
At OzChild, we remain committed to driving change within the child protection system. By advocating for these reforms and amplifying the voices of First Nations communities, we can help build a future where every child and young person has the opportunity to grow in a safe, nurturing, and culturally connected environment.
The Family Matters Report 2024 and its accompanying data snapshot are available on the SNAICC website on the Family Matters page.
Tune in on Friday 6 December 12pm–1pm (AEDT) for an engaging online discussion on the 2024 Family Matters Report. Follow the link on the day to tune in live: Family Matters Webinar.
Families Australia has announced the appointment of Dr Lisa J. Griffiths as its new Chair of the Board, following the transition of outgoing Chair Deb Tsorbaris to the role of Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner.
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