Number of Indigenous children removed from home soars

Urgent action is needed to prevent already soaring numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care doubling within just 9 years, according to a new report.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be removed from their families and kin at disproportionate rates, according to The Family Matters Report 2020. Generic iStock image

Urgent action is needed to prevent already soaring numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care doubling within nine years, according to a new report.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be removed from their families and kin at disproportionate rates, according to The Family Matters Report 2020 launched on Monday.

Family Matters Queensland co-chair Michael Currie said that the report highlighted some promising achievements in the state, but there were still significant concerns.

“We know our rate of over representation is second-lowest in the nation, but it is currently the highest it has been, increasing from a rate of 8.5 in 2019, to 8.8 this year,” he said.

“Despite the commitment made in 2017, no reunification or reconnection data has been provided this year to evidence active efforts of finding placement options or reunification to kin.

“Investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decision-making regarding our children is urgently required in areas of prevention and early intervention,” Mr Currie said.

Family Matters called on all governments to demonstrate evidenced best practice by ensuring decisions made regarding children’s interests were premised on culture and connection, he said.

Family Matters chair Sue-Anne Hunter said: “Our children are 9.7 times more likely to be living away from their families than non-Indigenous children. It is time to completely change this broken system that is not working for our kids.”

According to the report, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children represent 37 per cent of 20,077 children who have been removed from their parents, despite representing only 6 per cent of the total population of children in Australia. The report showed 81 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care live permanently away from their birth parents until the age of 18 years.

Family Matters also called for a national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to ensure oversight of child protection services and the protection of children’s rights.

Originally published as Number of Indigenous children removed from home soars