Our children our dreaming

This paper details the scope and nature of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander over-representation in the child protection system, and provides discussion on strategies to effectively address this over-representation.While there is wide acknowledgment of the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children in child protection services – and a growing understanding of the impact of social and economic disadvantage – current approaches to ensuring safety and well being for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families continue to be ineffective. Current child protection services often respond to the impact of disadvantage, but do not address the causes of disadvantage. Our Children Our Dreaming details the importance of addressing the broader issues of disadvantage, and applying a commitment to human rights, culture and self-determination, in achieving safety and wellbeing for Aboriginal children and families. To address over-representation in the child protection system, Our Children Our Dreaming proposes a new approach to achieving safety and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The discussion paper has drawn together six key aspects of effective engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities for child protection services