PeakCare is pleased to announce that the winners of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle Competition are:
- First prize winner: Michael Waters (Anglicare Southern Queensland)
- Second prize winner: Rachael Steele (UnitingCare Community)
- Third prize winner: Karen Salam (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak)
The correct answers
Answers to each of the five questions can be located in a paper entitled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: Aims and Core Elements that was commissioned and released by the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) in 2013.
Q.1??? The Child Placement Principle recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the knowledge and experience to make the best decisions concerning their children. (True or false)
True! You need look no further than the executive summary of the SNAICC paper to find this answer (p.2).
Q.2??? The development of the Child Placement Principle was driven by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Care Agencies (AICCAs) during the 1970s, but it was not until 1986 at a meeting of Social Welfare Ministers that all states and territories agreed to enshrine the Principle in legislation. (True or false)
False! Its true that the development of the Child Placement Principle was driven by the AICCAs and its also true that there was a meeting of Social Welfare Ministers held in 1986. However, at this meeting it was agreed by all states and territories to implement the Child Placement Principle in policy, but not necessarily inlegislation (p.5). ?A further decade passed before the Child Placement Principle commenced becoming a feature of child protection legislation. Within Queensland, it was not until the Child Protection Act 1999 was proclaimed that the Child Placement Principle was enshrined in legislation. This was in keeping with similar legislative developments that were occurring around this time in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Q.3??? The partnership domain is intended to ensure that, as far as possible, both government and non-government agencies employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff or establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander units within their agencies so that all decisions about interventions that occur in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children, young people and families can be made by these staff members. Where this may not be possible, advice should be sought from community controlled and led organisations. (True or false)
False! Refer to the description of partnership and the rationale for this domain stated on p 10. As stated, this domain focusses on participation of community controlled and led organisations in decision-making processes rather than simply seeking their advice or information, or being consulted.? Participation means joint decision-making and joint action, shared decision-making, whereas consultation implies that one party ? the statutory agency ? retains control over the process and decisions. Further, the rationale clearly conveys that the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff or the setting up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander units within government departments or other mainstream agencies must not be seen as a satisfactory substitute for the participation of community controlled and led organisations ? the participation of community controlled and led organisations recognises that the best interests of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child are met by drawing on the experience and knowledge held only by family and community.
Q.4??? In relation to the placement domain, the preferred placement options apply only to situations where a long term placement of a child in foster or kinship care is being considered. It does not apply when consideration is being given to a childs placement in short term or respite care with a foster or kinship carer or when a childs placement in residential care is being considered. (True or false)
False! Refer to the description of placement and the rationale for this domain stated on p. 12.? As stated, the preferences apply for all placements in out of home care ? respite, emergency, short and long term. Specifically in relation to a childs placement with non-Indigenous carers or in residential care, this should occur only when the preferred options of (1) placement with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander relatives or extended family members or with other relatives or extended family members, or (2) placement with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander family-based carers are not available. In the event that a child is placed with a non-Indigenous carer or in a residential setting, the placement must be within close geographic proximity to the childs family. ?
Q.5??? The five domains of prevention, partnership, placement, participation and connection seek to capture the history and original intent of the Child Placement Principle to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children connected to their family, community, culture and country (True or false)
True! As stated on p.7, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle is not simply about where or with whom a child is placed in out of home care. The history and intention of the Child Placement Principle is about keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children connected to their family, community, culture and country
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