Local Indigenous children and young people who were shifted to guardianship orders from the out-of-home care system now have access to better support under the Aboriginal Guardianship Support Model initiative.
After reforms to the child protection system were introduced by the NSW Government in 2015 to promote permanency orders, the number of Aboriginal children moved onto guardianship orders has increased significantly each year.
These types of permanency orders were found to be inappropriate, resulting in more Aboriginal children being left without adequate support for their immediate and long-term needs.
AbSec, the peak organisation for Aboriginal children and families in NSW, has commissioned two Aboriginal organisations, one of which is the Waranwarin Tharawal Child and Family Centre in Minto, to deliver tailored supports, ensuring a more comprehensive response.
“AbSec is pleased to partner with the NSW Government to establish and trial a new model of support to improve the lives of Aboriginal children on guardianship,’’ says the CEO of AbSec, John Leha.
“This support, delivered by Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, will ensure that Aboriginal children in the pilot areas will have access to the services they and their families need to thrive.
“We hope this will be the first of many initiatives from the NSW Government that embrace an Aboriginal-led approach co-designed by the community.
“AbSec will continue to advocate for more early intervention and preventative approaches we know work for our communities, keeping Aboriginal children connected to kin, community and culture instead of being permanently separated,” he said.
The new support model has been co-designed with guardians and carers of children, organisations and practitioners, community members and government partners under an innovative and collaborative approach to create better futures for those subject to guardianship.
Funding of $904,000 for each area has been provided by the NSW Government.
Services started in January and will operate for two years offering family support, goal planning, an information hub, referral and advice support, cultural and community connections and support, networking and advocacy support.
