Allies Statement - Family Matters Report 2023
Family Matters Report confirms solutions to end over-representation of First Nations children in care reside in community control
29 November 2023
Allies for Children have declared full and comprehensive support for the recommendations within the Family Matters report, launched by SNAICC- National Voice for our Children’s 2023 in Tarntanya (Adelaide). In it’s eighth year of assessing Government activity on addressing over-representation of children in care, the report highlights key case studies that evidence the efficacy of community-led solutions in achieving strong outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Whilst the 2023 report found an increase in both the number and over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care in the last 12 months, it also outlined key community-led recommendations that are the pathway for children to grow strong in culture and with kin.
Claire Robbs, CEO of Life Without Barriers and a founding member of Allies for Children said the Allies partnership supports the immediate action identified in the report to achieve transformational change for First Nations children within a generation.
“We join with SNAICC in calling for the Government to appoint a dedicated National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner, with legislated powers to make recommendations regarding the outcomes for First Nations children and young people,”
- Claire Robbs, CEO of Life Without Barriers
“Closing the Gap requires genuine action and change. We particularly want to highlight our support for the early investment strategies which include integrated, community-led family support services recommended in the report.
“The Family Matters report is a crucial tool for Governments, legislators and organisations in the child services sector to understand how we can ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children grow up safe and supported in community. We urge Governments and the Sector to heed this advice.”