CLOSING THE GAP

Ian Trust, founding chairperson Wunan Foundation.
2
Prioritising children in
West Kimberley 2
West Kimberley Aboriginal people
involved in Empowered Communities
identified children in out-of-home
care as a first priority for their
region. Rates of out-of-home care
in the Kimberley are significantly
higher for Aboriginal children
than their non-Aboriginal peers.
Aboriginal leaders established the
Kimberley Aboriginal Children in
Care Committee, which worked
with Aarnja, an Empowered
Communities backbone organisation
to address this important priority.
The Committee provided a report
identifying key issues and gaps
in the child protection system, as
well as next steps to address the
gaps. The report identified the
need to consult with Aboriginal
organisations and communities; an
absence of prevention and early
intervention services; supporting
parents of children at risk or in
placement; supporting Aboriginal
carers to become foster parents;
assistance with developing and
implementing care plans; and
assessment of children with Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
The report has been strongly
backed by the Western Australian
Government which has agreed
to establish a new regional body
that government agencies can
engage with on case management
of a child in care; to set up a
trial site to implement family
empowerment and preventative
measures in Beagle Bay; and to
ensure changes to legislation and
policies support and encourage
Aboriginal engagement and the
protection of Aboriginal culture,
and a child’s connection to culture.
CLOSING THE GAP: PRIME MINISTER'S REPORT 2017
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