Moving to prevention: Exploring outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through intensive/targeted family support services Presented by Sharron Williams - SNAICC Chairperson

Presentation Focus To present findings that emerged from the Moving to Prevention research report: Intensive family support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. This presentation reports on research that has reviewed practice in 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations providing intensive support for families. To invite discussion on the findings.

About this research project Since 2012, SNAICC has been undertaking research in partnership with Professor Clare Tilbury of Griffith University. The research has identified the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations providing culturally strong and quality intensive support to families in their communities. This presentation provides a summary of key findings. Besides the Moving to Prevention research report, other research papers that inform this presentation include: – A background paper: Intensive family-based support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families (Tilbury 2012) – Promising practice in intensive family support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families (Matthews and Burton 2012)

What we found during the research: Elements of best practice

Providing services in culturally competent and respectful ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations “They understand the Murri way. Not like the Department. Even with housing, they know about big families.” (Family 5) Individual worker skills, experience and attributes contribute to cultural competence in service provision. Development of culturally specific tools, resources and service delivery models

Matching services to child and family strengths and needs Case management framework “We had set goals, and I knew the service would stick with me. We planned next week’s work at the visit, and I had homework tasks”. (Family 6) Referrals and ongoing support address long-term, complex and chronic issues “They should stay involved. The problem is, the service is time limited”. (Family 4) Services are purposive, planned and matched to family need Flexible service delivery

Partnerships with and participation of family members Persistent engagement “It was the first time I had a service that actually followed through.” (Family 1) Parent and family involvement in case planning and decision-making Strengths based approaches Professionalism in service delivery and organisational support Voluntary nature of services increases family participation “It was obvious [the caseworker] was someone who really wants to do their job, and likes to do it properly. If there was something I was worried about, she had ideas, she said: “I can help with that”. (Family 1)

Providing a mix of practical, educational, therapeutic and advocacy supports

Effective working relationships with statutory child protection agencies “The department knew everything that was wrong. But [the service worker] said ‘You can change things’. They gave me that confidence.” (Family 2) Strong partnerships and working relationships with the Statutory agency. “They [the service caseworker] helped with the department, helped me talk to them, helped with contact with my kids…” (Family 6)

Contact us to discuss the research and findings Contacts at SNAICC: Hannah Donnelly, SNAICC Policy Officer John Burton, SNAICC Policy and Resources Manager Phone: (03)