The ‘gap’ is widening when it comes to keeping Indigenous kids out of care. 

Australian experts say the current child protection system is failing and perpetuating harms inflicted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and the gap is widening. 

In 2020 the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care was 11 times higher than that of non-Indigenous children and the experts say the time for action is now.

In a new study, experts from a range of Australian universities and Indigenous advocacy groups reveal systemic failures to address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents during pregnancy and following birth, including culturally unsafe, inappropriate and un-validated “risk assessment” measures and a lack of trained staff. 

They say major reform to child and family notification and service systems, and significant investment to address this crisis is urgently needed.

The report is accessible here.