Strategy and action plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

 

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have the right to a bright, healthy and powerful future.

Delivering the best possible outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families is one of the Queensland Government’s highest priorities.

To achieve this, the government in partnership with Family Matters and community organisations has released Our Way: A generational strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families (PDF, 5 MB) and Changing Tracks: An action plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families (PDF, 4.3 MB).

Guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, Our Way outlines our approach, across 20 years, to work differently together to improve life opportunities for our state’s vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. A key commitment in Supporting Families Changing Futures, Our Way represents a fundamental shift in how child protection, family support and other services work with, and for, Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

Changing Tracks outlines the actions we will take in the first three years to achieve our goal. It builds on existing initiatives and includes new actions guided by Elders, community leaders, community-run organisations, peak bodies and relevant government agencies, aimed at:

• reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system
• closing the gap in life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing vulnerability
• ensuring all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children grow up safe and cared for in family, community and culture.

Progress Report

The Changing Tracks Progress Report: May 2017-December 2018 (PDF, 5 MB), released by the Queensland First Children and Families Board, outlines the first stage of the strategy and actions to date.