CULTURAL ADVOCATE SUPPORT

Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service

ACSASS provides joint involvement, consultation, information and advice to Child Protection in relation to all significant decisions and actions concerning Aboriginal children.

This is to ensure that service delivery is culturally appropriate, and all decisions made are in the best interests of the child/young person and considerate of the child’s /young person’s connection to their Aboriginal heritage, family and community.

Aboriginal Family-Led Decision-Making

The Aboriginal Family-Led Decision Making (AFLDM) worker is a co-convener with a representative from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing in family meetings.

The aim is to ensure that the family’s rights and culture are taken into consideration when coming to decisions regarding placement of Aboriginal children.

The AFLDM worker also helps to mediate conflict if present between families. The service ensures that families have a complete understanding of the decisions made and the reasons behind them.

Cultural Support Planning

Aboriginal Cultural Planning (Senior Cultural Advisor) is a critical role to ensuring Aboriginal children and young people living in out-of-home care maintain and develop their connection to their Aboriginal cultural and community.

The senior Cultural Advisor assists with the development, assessment, and review of cultural plans to ensure they meet the cultural needs of Aboriginal children and young people.