As the peak body representing foster carers in Victoria, the FCAV supports principles of self determination, including that First Nations children and young people have the right to remain connected to their culture and family.
As part of our vision to strengthen foster care in Victoria, we provide support and advice to assist foster carers to meet this responsibility. We want carers to feel empowered to provide culturally safe care, informed by Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations’ approach that is based on the priorities and needs of the First Nations Peoples they offer service to.
The ‘Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care’ (ACAC) program (enabled under Section 18 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 ) ensures that authorised Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations can work with stakeholders and develop case plans in a culturally safe (and strong) manner for Aboriginal children and young people who are subject to a Children’s Court protection order.
This provides context around the approaches taken by Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations so that carers understand the responsibilities of caring for First Nations children and young people.
References: DFFH Website
The Aboriginal Child Placement Principle states that Aboriginal children have a right to be raised within their families, communities, and cultures. Due to sustained advocacy by the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and others, the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle is included in the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, particularly Section 12 which recognises the right of Aboriginal people to self-determination and Section 18 which allows for ‘Aboriginal Guardianship’. In other words, for Aboriginal agencies to make decisions about the protection of Aboriginal children.
References: VACCA Website
We want to empower carers of Aboriginal children to ensure they remain connected to their culture and families, and to provide a care environment that feels culturally safe. Below are some resources that may be useful in helping to meet this responsibility:
A library of resources and activities that celebrate Aboriginal/First Nations culture and knowledge curated by VACCA for Aboriginal children and their carers. Developed by VACCA.
Deadly Story is a cultural resource to support Aboriginal children in out-of-home care to stay connected to their culture and grow into their understanding of who they are. Deadly Story is the result of a partnership between VACCA, SNAICC, The Koorie Heritage Trust, The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners Corporation and Brightlabs, in conjunction with the Department of Health & Human Services.
Aboriginal Cultural Awareness training is essential to have an awareness and understanding of the connection to culture that Aboriginal children have a right to maintain.
