A Review of International Models for Indigenous Child Protection
A Review of International Models for Indigenous Child Protection Report
Indigenous Law Resources
- Author(s): Cunneen, C, Libesman, T
- Published: 2002
- Publisher: Australasian Legal Information Institute, University of New South Wales and University of Technology Sydney
Abstract: This research report arose out of work which the authors prepared for the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families. Many Indigenous organisations provided submissions to the Inquiry which called for consideration or implementation of international models for the delivery of child welfare services to Indigenous communities. This report reviews a range of Indigenous child welfare models developed in Canada, New Zealand and the USA. This Report is responding specifically to the interest in overseas models. Its intention is to provide information and ideas for consideration in the Australian context. It does not consider Australian models which are reviewed elsewhere. The research was carried out through extensive data base searches and by writing to indigenous child welfare service providers in New Zealand, Canada and the USA. As noted by other researches there is extremely limited information available on indigenous child welfare services, particularly information prepared by and for indigenous organisations. Where ever possible such information has been reviewed. A database of international indigenous child welfare services contacted is provided with this report. The report includes three sections. The first part reviews legislative models for the delivery of child welfare to indigenous communities. Before reviewing the legislative models a brief historical overview of state responses to indigenous families is provided. Legislation in Canada, USA, New Zealand and New South Wales is reviewed. The second part of the report thematically considers issues relevant to the delivery of child welfare services to indigenous communities. This part of the report includes consideration of issues of cultural competence, community control, and family group conferencing. The third part of the report considers the intersection between child welfare and juvenile justice issues.