SNAICC profiles good practice Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led early intervention programs

SNAICC – National Voice for our Children has published 11 profiles showcasing nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations across Australia they identified as successfully working with children and families to prevent them from coming into contact with the child protection system.

The profiles identify good practices of early intervention and family support programs. They tell stories of how the lived experiences, cultural knowledge and relationships of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and staff are achieving positive results for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families, including supporting children to be kept safe from harm, uphold their right to grow up within their own family and community, and access critical health and early education services.

In addition to genuine cultural safety being essential in all aspects of the programs, SNAICC identified six common elements of success across the programs:

1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community ownership and leadership of programs.
2. Having elders’ voices included in programming.
3. Having Aboriginal lead and support workers on the team.
4. Offering integrated services, often through a one-shop model.
5. Helping women, men and children connect with and build pride in their Aboriginal identity, as well as connect to Country.
6. Children’s playgroups.

The SNAICC profiles are a positive step towards building an evidence base of what is working for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

For further information about the profiles and common elements of program success see the SNAICC website and recent webinar at https://www.snaicc.org.au/policy-and-research/child-safety-and-wellbeing/early-intervention-programs/.