Summary
Implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) by states and territories is designed to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection and out-of-home care systems. It also aims to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children connected to their family, community, culture and country (SNAICC 2017; Tilbury 2013). At the core of the ATSICPP are the 5 elements of Prevention, Partnership, Placement, Participation and Connection (SNAICC 2017).
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle indicators
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) indicators measure progress towards the implementation of the ATSICPP in child protection and out-of-home care systems and are grouped under each of the 5 core ATSICPP elements (SNAICC 2017).
The indicators presented in this report relate to the ATSICPP elements of Placement and Connection, and the reporting scope is limited to children living in out-of-home care.
Other indicators relating to Prevention, Partnership and Participation are under development. Some of the indicators under development relate to other parts of the child protection system (for example, family support services).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care
The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in out-of-home care has increased from 16,700 (51 per 1,000) at 30 June 2017 to 19,500 at 30 June 2021 (58 per 1,000) (AIHW 2022).
Key findings for 5 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) indicators, related to the Placement and Connection elements of the framework, are detailed below.
Measuring Placement
Indicator 1.1: At 30 June 2021, 63% of the 19,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–17 in out-of-home care were living with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or non-Indigenous relatives or kin or other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.
Measuring Connection
Indicator 2.1: At 30 June 2021, 41% of the 19,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–17 in out-of-home care were living with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relatives or kin or other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.
Indicator 2.2: At 30 June 2021, 73% of the 17,300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care had (and were required to have) a current, documented and approved cultural support plan.
Indicator 2.3: In 2020–21, 16% of the 10,300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–17 in out-of-home care (excluding children on long-term guardianship orders) were reunified during the year.
Indicator 2.4: During 2019–20, 84% of the 1,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–16 who were reunified with family, did not return to out-of-home care within 12 months.
References
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2022) Child protection Australia 2020–21, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 15 June 2022.
SNAICC – National Voice for our Children (2017) Understanding and applying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: a resource for legislation, policy, and program development, SNAICC, accessed 16 June 2020.
Tilbury C (2013) The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: aims and core elements, SNAICC, accessed 16 June 2020.