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Last day of the @DRC_AU hearing into The experiences of #FirstNations people with disability and their families in contact with child protection systems.
It's been a tough week, but it is vital that the evidence we've been hearing this week is brought to light.
#DisabilityRC
It's been a tough week, but it is vital that the evidence we've been hearing this week is brought to light.
#DisabilityRC
As always, you can mute the #DisabilityRC hashtag if you need to.
If you are following along and need support regarding anything you've read here, a list of free support services can be found here: https://pwd.org.au/drc-hub/support/
You can also call lifeline on: 13 11 14
If you are following along and need support regarding anything you've read here, a list of free support services can be found here: https://pwd.org.au/drc-hub/support/
You can also call lifeline on: 13 11 14
Also tweeting this week is @FPDNAus. We highly recommend following them and the incredible work they do every day. #DisabilityRC
We are now hearing from Ms Candice Butler, Ms Dana Clarke and Ms Olivia King. Ms Butler and Ms Clarke are both proud First Nations women.
#DisablityRC https://twitter.com/FPDNAus/status/1332099986369048577
#DisablityRC https://twitter.com/FPDNAus/status/1332099986369048577
Starting with Ms Butler explaining QATSICPP. Basic info can be found here: https://www.qatsicpp.com.au/
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Clarke now talking about Burrun Dalia. More info here: https://www.burrundalai.org.au/
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
AbSec provides advice to government on what is happening in communities and feedback from communities, and recommendation from data they collect. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Talking about "data sovereignty", there is an issue where the data collected on First Nations people is not owned by First Nations people. Decisions are often made based on data that they never see. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
They need sovereignty over data on children and communities to make sure the right questions are being asked. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms King now talking about AFSS. They have a huge range of functions including consulting on placement of First Nations children taken into care. More information here: https://www.afss.com.au/
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Coming back to Ms Butler and the child protection system in QL.
43% of children in care are First Nations, but they only represent 8% of the population.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
43% of children in care are First Nations, but they only represent 8% of the population.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Butler speaking about the drivers of over-representation, reiterating what we've heard a lot this week: intergenerational trauma, inappropriate approach by government, the need for more involvement from community controlled services. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
There is a need for more funds and investment in community controlled orgs and services, including health and disability services.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Only 3% of funding allocated to support orgs goes to First Nations community controlled support orgs (a stark figure considering 43% of children in care are First Nations). #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Clarke says Aboriginal people are 10x more likely to have a child removed in her jurisdiction. This is likely higher for parents with disability who are doubly disadvantaged. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Aboriginal parents with disability, particularly cognitive disability, may not come forward about their disability for fear of children being taken away, but this also means they don't get access to support. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
There is a lack understanding about intergenerational trauma. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Now talking about data. Clarke suggests there is manipulation of data. Shifting of children being counted under NDIS rather than the out of home care system. She says the numbers of children in out of home care is likely higher than the official figures suggest. #DisabilityRC
Back to Ms King. 30-35% of children in care in SA are First Nations. What are the driving factors?
Similar situation with lack of targeted funds. Community controlled orgs not being involved at "the pointy end" when concerns are first raised.
#DisabilityRC
Similar situation with lack of targeted funds. Community controlled orgs not being involved at "the pointy end" when concerns are first raised.
#DisabilityRC
Referrals to AFSS will often happen once the process is well underway, when actions like long-term removals are being considered or have already happened. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
If the only First Nations people consulted early on also work for the Dept. of child protection, this is concerning.
Community orgs are better able to work directly with the community and gain first hand information with which to provide advice on decisions. #DisabilityRC
Community orgs are better able to work directly with the community and gain first hand information with which to provide advice on decisions. #DisabilityRC
Ms Butler is being asked about the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Child Placement Principle, part of the legislative framework in QL. How do you see it being put in practice? #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Butler fully supports the Principle. Her view of the implementation varies. Some child protection centres are proactive, but she could not say it's being fully implemented across the board. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
The five elements of the principle should be given equal weight, but the placement principle is generally given undue weight. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Butler has been approached by sections of the dept. involved in training, but training on the principle hasn't been rolled out across the state. It also needs to go beyond training with supervision and mentoring regarding implementation. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Butler references SNAICC. More info on them here: https://www.snaicc.org.au/
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Butler is emphasising the importance of the parents having a voice in the process of decision making. Family led decision making should be fundamental.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Talking about the family participation program which was rolled out last year.
More info here: https://www.csyw.qld.gov.au/child-family/child-family-reform/meeting-needs-requirements-aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-children-families-communities/family-participation-program
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
More info here: https://www.csyw.qld.gov.au/child-family/child-family-reform/meeting-needs-requirements-aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-children-families-communities/family-participation-program
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Clarke is being asked about how the placement principle is being implemented in NSW.
She says the principle is used to force placements that the department wants. Other times there's a "tick and a flick" approach. Family led decision making isn't happening. #DisabilityRC
She says the principle is used to force placements that the department wants. Other times there's a "tick and a flick" approach. Family led decision making isn't happening. #DisabilityRC
The power dynamic is heavily weighted to the department. The principle is often pushed aside in order to prioritise the placement.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Clarke supports family led decision making as potential path to prevention. It should be implemented from the beginning rather than at the "pointy end". #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms King is reiterating that the Principle is not filtering down particularly well in her jurisdiction. It ends up being down to individual social workers and doesn't end up happening in practice. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
She emphasises the need for training on the principle, and formal space for reflection on how well the principle is being used. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Another reference to the SNAICC tool for this which can be seen here: https://www.snaicc.org.au/understanding-applying-aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-child-placement-principle/ #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Butler says there is opportunity for further training in the Dept. on disability, and support for parents who may be presenting with a disability.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Disability of a parent should not be a reason that a child is placed into care, away from family, culture and kin.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Talking about the Structured Decision Making (SDM) tool used to assess risk. Ms Butler says social workers should be able to override the tool with their own judgement based on conversations with family. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Ms Clarke is addressing cultural bias in the SDM and research teams. The implication for families is that decisions are made based on external understanding of Aboriginaility and what disability means to Aboriginal communities. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
They identify risks that would not be considered risks by community with more knowledge. Communities are all different too. There is arrogance in thinking they know what they know about the families. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Chair Sackville is thanking the 3 witnesses for their evidence. We are adjourning for 20mins.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
And we're back! Now hearing from Mr Richard Weston, SNAICC Chief Executive Officer. Commissioner Mason has worked with Mr Weston previously.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Mr Crowley is asking the questions. Mr Weston is a Torres Straight man. He has been CEO of SNAICC for 12 months. SNAICC is a national peak body, community controlled, 40 years old, plays an advocacy roll for #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC
#DisabilityRC
Talking about the Family Matters Campaign. It has no government funding. SNAICC provides the resources to produce the report. The campaign led by "formidable" First Nations leaders across the country. https://www.familymatters.org.au/the-family-matters-report-2020/
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
The campaign plans to stop all First Nations children being in out of home care by 2040.
Crowley asks: How are we tracking?
There are currently 20,000 Fist Nation children in care. If nothing changes, the numbers will double in ten years.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Crowley asks: How are we tracking?
There are currently 20,000 Fist Nation children in care. If nothing changes, the numbers will double in ten years.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
*Correction: They plan to end the over-representation of First Nations children in out of home care by 2040.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Mr Weston is talking about SNAICC's broad role as an advisory body to various government departments. They have a lot of networks in the community.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
There are orgs that are part of SNAICC who provide services directing to community, including children with disability and their families.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Mr Weston says data on how many children and parents with disability are in the system is poor.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Talking about the need for access to healing for the Stolen Generation and First Nations people due to colonisation.
Weston worked at The Healing Foundation. More info on their work here: https://healingfoundation.org.au/intergenerational-trauma/
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Weston worked at The Healing Foundation. More info on their work here: https://healingfoundation.org.au/intergenerational-trauma/
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
One of the manifestations of that trauma is the number of children in out of home care.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Talking about behaviours driven by trauma. Violence, risk taking, drug and alcohol use, mental health, difficulty developing safe relationships.
Trauma can be passed on by living with people who have experienced trauma.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Trauma can be passed on by living with people who have experienced trauma.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Services need to understand this. Right now we see misdiagnosis and a lack of cultural understanding. Trauma remains unaddressed. Children can be removed which causes additional trauma. There needs to be services that address the need to heal.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
The current system is not designed around these needs. Decisions made to remove children are based on the wrong information. It doesn't take into account the history. Complete mismatch between the problem and the response.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Talking about the absence of appropriate supports. SNAICC's member have identified barriers to getting supports. There is a lack of specialist assessment of capacity when a parent has a disability.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
e.g. "Shontaya" spent 3/4 of an hour with psychologist, and the catastrophic outcome was removal of a child. A longer conversation with another specialist later took a more holistic view and there was a different recommendation. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
"We are not spending enough to stop our kids going into these systems." One of the best ways to prevent kids going into home care is to invest in community controlled orgs operating in the space, and engage better with families to find solutions.
#DisabilityRC
#DisabilityRC
There's a need to improve collection of data. In this case around First Nations people with disability who are being treated so badly by the systems. We spend 6billion on the child protection system. It grows by 10% per annum. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
The cost of maintaining the current system is likely much more than it would cost to properly support communities. Weston says taxpayers are not getting "bang for their buck" with the current system. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
There is an undervaluation of children's Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander identity. "Our people don't see disability as a problem to be fixed." They look at disability as part of who a person is. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
We can't wait another 5 years to decide whether we should start properly funding community controlled orgs. We need to start now and evaluate as we go. We're not going to solve it with incremental improvement. Massive action needs to happen.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Crowley as asking about how SDM tools misinterpret trauma based behaviour as a risk.
Weston says those tools don't account for Aboriginal culture and history. People are just assessed on how they present. There's no account given to where behaviours come from. #DisabilityRC
Weston says those tools don't account for Aboriginal culture and history. People are just assessed on how they present. There's no account given to where behaviours come from. #DisabilityRC
The strengths of First Nations culture are also not recognised. Cultural identity is a strength. "Our families look different to non-indigenous families". There are strong connections with extended family and kinship that are not taken into account by the system. #DisabilityRC
If we valued Aboriginal culture as pivotal to the wellbeing of children we would wrap supports around the family. Evidence tells us that children generally do better if they stay with the family. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
There's a strong need for accountability of the system now. "Systems need to be accountable to out community, to our peoples." The system is very unforgiving. "Our people have a different approach ... we understand where they come from." #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
"We're the best placed people to provide a service to our mob." #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Mr Weston says the system is reactive. When something happens to a First Nations kid the community and the culture can be blamed. This leads to a risk averse attitude in the system. They can be less open to changes that might improve things. #DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Mr Weston believes a system that focuses on early intervention and supports would get better results.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Mr Weston was the last witness in this hearing. They are sorting out some paperwork. We will leave the live tweeting here.
Thanks for following along.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
Thanks for following along.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
If you were impacted by anything you hard this week, there is support available here: https://pwd.org.au/drc-hub/support/
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
We've learned a lot over the course of this week. A big thank you to all the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people, particularly those with disability, who participated and shared so much of yourselves this week ...
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
and huge respect for the advocacy and community orgs who gave evidence this week and do such incredible work supporting families to stay together.
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
#DisabilityRC #FirstNationsChildren
