Interim Our Booris, Our Way Report Welcomed


Released 31/08/2018

Today I was pleased to meet with the Chair of the Our Booris, Our Way Review Steering Committee, Barbara Causon, and receive the Committee’s Interim Report.

Our Booris, Our Way is examining the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the ACT’s child protection system – considering why children and young people enter care, how we can reduce these numbers, and how we can improve the experiences of children, young people and families in the child protection system.

In line with the principle of self-determination, the review is being overseen by a wholly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee.

In the ACT, 28 per cent of children in out of home care are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. This is despite Indigenous children making up only 3 per cent of the ACT’s child population.

This is unacceptable and the ACT Government is determined to work with the community to reduce over-representation and create a culturally safe system. We are committed to learning from the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, organisations and experts.

The Steering Committee has made four early recommendations, which the Community Services Directorate is now working to address. It has also identified priority areas of focus that the Steering Committee will continue to investigate as the Review progresses.

While this important work continues, the ACT Government is implementing early intervention and prevention strategies in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and organisations, including Family Group Conferencing and Functional Family Therapy.

I thank Our Booris, Our Way Review Steering Committee for its work to date and for the Interim Report, which is now publicly available on the ACT Government’s Strong Families website.

The work the Our Booris, Our Way Steering Committee and review team are undertaking is detailed and difficult, but I believe it will lead to real improvements in the child protection system.

The Government will continue to work with the Steering Committee to identify improvements that can be made in the short term, and I look forward to meeting with the Committee again soon.

The Our Booris, Our Way Interim Report and the Steering Committee’s media release is available here: https://www.strongfamilies.act.gov.au/our-booris,-our-way

Note: The Review’s title, Our Booris, Our Way was selected by the Steering Committee. “Booris” is a Wiradjuri word for children and is pronounced Boor-eyes.

- Statement ends -

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

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