Strong Families, Our Way
Self-determination in the Aboriginal child & family sector.
Strong Families, Our Way (SFOW) is a transformative initiative dedicated to strengthening sustainable, community-led structures of self-determination within the Aboriginal child and family system in New South Wales. The primary goal is to invest in strong, thriving community pathways to reduce over-representation in child protection by resourcing Aboriginal-led decision-making in the oversight of child and family system processes, design, and practices.
Why is Strong Families, Our Way needed?
6,563
NSW Aboriginal children & young people are in out-of-home care (OOHC).
57,975
First Nations children came into contact with the child protection system within one year.
10.5
Aboriginal children are 10.5 times more likely to be removed from their homes.
For over two centuries, our people have been subjected to policies made by non-Aboriginal authorities, especially concerning our children and young people. The consequences of the Stolen Generations still affects us today, and Aboriginal children continue to be over-represented in OOHC, often placed with non-Aboriginal carers, disconnected from their communities and culture.
Strong Families, Our Way changes that narrative by ensuring that our voices and decisions are at the forefront, working towards the goal of reducing the number of our children in OOHC by 45% by 2031, as outlined in the Closing the Gap plan.
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Mechanisms
The heart of SFOW is the co-design and formation of Aboriginal community-controlled mechanisms (ACCMs). These are local bodies, led by community members, providing support and oversight to the child and family system in their area. ACCMs are independent organisations working in partnership with the government and other agencies to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people, and families.
ACCM = independent organisation, working in partnership with government and other agencies to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people and families.
Currently there are ACCMs being established in:
Murrumbidgee
- Wagga Wagga
- Albury
- Griffith
- Leeton
- Narrandera
- Tumut
- Young
- Cootamundra
Greater Sydney
- Redfern
- Marrickville
- Jannali
- Bankstown
- Campbelltown
Nepean Blue Mountains
- Bathrust
- Cowra
- Katoomba
- Parkes
Western NSW
- Dubbo
- Walgett
- Brewarrina
- Bourke
Hunter Valley
- Newcastle
- Maitland
- Toronto
New England
- Narrabri
- Tamworth
- Gunnaduh
Mid Coast / Northern NSW
- Coraki
- Kempsey
- Taree
How do you establish an ACCM?
As an ACCM, you would operate as a community-led entity, independent of government and responsible for your community. By recognising the uniqueness of each community, ACCMs are tailored to capitalise on local strengths and address specific needs.
There are three main steps to establishing an Aboriginal community-controlled mechanism:
1. Contact the SFOW Team.
Our team will provide information about the possible role and functions of the ACCM. Each community is unique and these will likely be different for each.
2. Call together community members and other stakeholders to discuss the options.
Design a structure that will fulfil the necessary role and functions. This can involve the selection of eligible people to participate in the ACCM and the principles by which it should operate.
3. Design the ACCM process.
Our team will provide information about the possible role and functions of the ACCM. Each community is unique and these will likely be different for each.
The Strong Families, Our Way team will provide support throughout this process and into the future. We are actively collaborating with Aboriginal communities across NSW. If you’re interested in getting involved or initiating an ACCM, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Networking
Community events with Traditional Owners, local decision-makers, Elders, community members, service providers, and interagency partners.
Yarn ups
Informational chats with the community about the SFOW project and forming an ACCM to drive change in the child protection space.
Formation
Collaborating with ACCMs and DCJ to formalise partnerships and create process maps ensuring culturally appropriate, responsive case management.
Workshops
Formal workshops discussing the government structure of ACCMs, terms of reference, and ACCM/DCJ Partnership Agreement.
Launch
Community events to launch the formalised and functioning ACCM/DCJ partnership.
Ongoing support
The SFOW team provides continuous support to NSW ACCMs.
Self-determination in the Aboriginal child & family sector
In addition to ACCMs, SFOW seeks to expand self-determination in the child and family system by building the capacity and networks of ACCMs to influence the broader system. This includes projects such as designing holistic child and family service models led by Aboriginal organisations. The SFOW team partners with community, government, and non-government stakeholders to identify and seize these opportunities.
Success story: Aboriginal Children on Country
A notable example of an ACCM is the establishment of Aboriginal Children on Country in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region. This initiative was driven by the community’s response to a traumatic incident in August 2022, where Aboriginal children were removed from a local First Nations early childcare education centre during Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day celebrations.
In collaboration with AbSec and Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes (TAO), local elders and community members formed Aboriginal Children on Country. This mechanism relies on volunteers sharing lived and professional experiences to support and consult Aboriginal families in the child protection system, aiming to keep Aboriginal children living with family on Country.
Join our Community Yarns
Join us for in-person community yarns throughout NSW to learn more about SFOW and how you can contribute to establishing an ACCM.
