The Territory Labor Government has partnered with Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation to launch the new foster and kinship care model that will improve outcomes for Aboriginal children in care.
Children Safe, Family Together is a new care model and resource for Aboriginal organisations working with Territory Families to identify, recruit and support Aboriginal kinship and foster carers.
The new model is based on four phases which represents the life cycle of children in care from the beginning to the end.
Tangentyere Council was funded $200,000 under the first round of the Aboriginal Carers Growing Up Aboriginal Children Grants to develop the model.
With the success of these grants so far, the Territory Government has recently released Round 2 of the Aboriginal Carers Growing Up Aboriginal Children Grants. Funding of $350,000 is now available for new Aboriginal organisations to deliver these services.
View the Children Safe, Family Together model here:
Quotes from Minister for Territory Families, Dale Wakefield
"Every child deserves a childhood where they are safe and connected with their culture and identity. We are investing in the most vulnerable children to change their pathways in life.
“The latest statistics show that in the Territory, 90 per cent of children in care are Aboriginal. Evidence shows that children and young people have a better chance to thrive when they remain in home-based placements within their community and connected to culture – when it is safe to do so.
“The new care model will prioritise and increase the number of Aboriginal foster and kinship carers, which is pivotal to transform the out-of-home care system. We are funding Aboriginal organisations and giving them greater decision-making power to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal children and their families.”
Quotes from CEO of Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation, Walter Shaw
“We expect that this model, which sees a much greater role for Aboriginal families and organisations in the decision making, will lead to more children placed locally with family in safe and stable care arrangements.
“We’d also expect to see more Aboriginal and kinship carers recruited and retained over time.
“Tangentyere would like to commend the NT Government for recognising and supporting the crucial role community based support services provide in improving the wellbeing of children and families.”
Media Contact:
Paige Nguyen 0428 727
244
paige.nguyen@nt.gov.au