Nunga Babies Watch - CCP has taken my child Booklet

Statement to South Australian Parliament Round Table Forum Statement on the taking of Aboriginal children In response to significant and well documented, over-representation of Aboriginal children in out of home care as compared to non-Aboriginal children, Nunga Babies Watch in partnership with the Grannies Group demand that the South Australian government act immediately to introduce change that will keep Aboriginal children with family and or in kinship care.

1. W e call on the South Australian government to give Aboriginal communities the independent right to make decisions for their families.

We are the people who should be making the decisions about our children. Our decisions come from our communities and are based in cultural obligations, kinship care and spiritual connections. We have the knowledge to care for our families, especially our children.

2. T he Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) must be accompanied by a ‘check list’ that shows the Department of Child Protection (DCP) working transparently and actively, using all ATSICPP Elements to place an Aboriginal child(ren) in kinship care. Children taken from our care by the DCP are at higher risk of losing their identity and cultural connections with their families and community.

A loss of identity places our people at risk of entering the juvenile justice system, mental health systems and further incarceration over a lifetime.

3. G overnment legislation must ensure the DCP is not at risk of being opportunistic, coercive, discriminatory and racist and Social Workers abide by the AASW Code of Ethics and professional training. Decisions made by the DCP cause ongoing, inter-generational trauma. Our people continue to suffer the loss of babies and children, breaking family connections forever.

4. T he Department of Child Protection must be held accountable by providing evidence to Aboriginal families that show legislated practises are enacted and implemented. We demand that the DCP actively implement all elements of the ATSICPP and associated Active Efforts.

Nunga Babies Watch Keeping Aboriginal Families Together • 20