Working with People and Their Families

"Around the word, indigeneous peoples have experienced colonisation, cultural oppression, forced assimilation, and absorption into a global economy with little regard for their autonomy or wellbeing. These profund transformations have been linked to high rates of depression, alcoholism, violence and suicide in many communities, with the most dramatic effect on youth" (Kimayer, Tait and Simpsin, 2009. p.3).

In this module you will start to understand the historical contexts and consequences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families as a result of colonisation, government policies and practices, such as the forced removal of children, discrimination, and the loss of cultural identity and language, which has lead to lasting negative effects on our Aboriginal and Torres children, families and communities. The negative effects have been passed down from one generation to the next resulting in intergenerational trauma. Despite the many hardships and trauma bestowed upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people their is still a strong sense of connection to land, culture, spiritiuality, ancestry, family and community. 

Research tells us that children that have been exposed to a number of risk factors with limited protective factors will be disadvantaged in term of their development and wellbeing. Childhood trauma will alter a child's brain development and thier exposure to chronic stress leads to hyper-arousal, which in turn results in poor concentration, lack of the ability to develop empathy, self-regulation, and lack the ability to form trusting relationships. Without strategies and skills to cope many children will do poorly in school, struggle with pain-based behaviours including: withdrawal, aggression, substance misuse, criminality, suicide, sexual promiscuity and inactive lifestyles (Atkinson, Nelson & Atkinson 2010). 

The government policies that have lead to discrmination and traumatisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have resulted in disconnection in all of its forms. Parents of the 'stolen generation' were deprived of their families to guide and and pass on parenting skills, cultural tools and language. As a result we see an over representation of indigeneous children in the child protection system and many families and communites experiencing significant social and economic disadvantage. 

Clearly the strategies and approaches taken to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities has not worked, therefore it is essential that new approaches be considered. Trauma research tells us that in order to recover from trauma healing is essential (Healing Foundation). Therapeutic intervention with a focus on restoring, reafirming and renewing a sense of pride in cultual identity, connection to country and self-determination are all part of the healing process. According to (van der Kolk, 2007, cited in Healing Foundation, p.4) "there is increasing evidence that trauma-informed approaches, that draw from ancient wisdom of Indigeneous cultures, are the most successful in facilitating healing and recovery".

Child Safety

Do you reasonably suspect that a child is experiencing child abuse and/or neglect?

Know your organisations policies & procedures.

Provide as much information as possible, particularly about how parental actions are impacting on the child and the family’s circumstances (think of the risk assessment model).

You may hold a critical piece of the puzzle.

Remember Child Safety Services may have other pieces of that puzzle that cannot be shared with you.

Child protection is everyone’s business

In accordance with the Child Protection Act 1999, Child Safety Services will not disclose the identity of the notifier, will not confirm or deny the notifier’s identity if the family speculate about who the notifier may be, and will try to protect the notifier’s identity when specific information provided by the notifier is likely to identify them.

At times, given the nature and details of the concerns, many families will make assumptions as to who has notified.

It is important to note however that as a professional, your views may be sought post the receipt of the initial notification to which you are not protected under confidentiality legislation.

You may be asked to provide evidence to a Children’s Court either through an affidavit or as a witness.

If a child protection notification has been recorded, then a timeframe for the investigation and assessment to commence will be determined, depending on the assessed safety of the child

–         24 hour

–         5 day

–         10 day

The departmental response to all notifications is the completion of an investigation and assessment.

A thorough and holistic approach to the investigation and assessment is critical to determining the current and ongoing safety and protective needs of the child.

An Investigation & assessment may involve an Authorised Officer executing powers under the Act.

Contact with Children in school/Child Care etc (S17)

Moving a child to a safe place (S21)

Take a child into immediate custody (S18)

Entry & Search powers (S18)

Information gathering about a child and family

•          In assessing a child’s safety, accuracy is a crucial goal.

•          The aim is to correctly identify parents who are abusive and minimise distress to those who are not.

•          Temporary Assessment Orders & Court Assessment Orders may be used.

At the completion of the investigation and assessment, the department will determine whether or not a child is in need of protection. 

The outcome will be one of the following:

substantiated - child in need of protection

substantiated - child not in need of protection

unsubstantiated - child not in need of protection

The harm will either have been experienced by the child, or there would be an assessed unacceptability of the risk of harm in the future to the child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing.

When considering the harm experienced, the department needs to establish a link between the harm caused to the child as a result of abuse or neglect from the parent.