What are the National standards
for out -of -Home -Care?
The National Standards cover issues like:
- Maintain cultural connections
- Young one’s involvement in decisions that affect them
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the right to make decisions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
- Case plans need to focus on what is needed to ensure the young ones wellbeing while in care
- Young one’s have regular health assessments
- Young one’s have the opportunity to access Aboriginal early childhood, education, training and development services
- For young one’s to be assisted with education, training and employment, workers can refer to Aboriginal specific tools, organizations and people
- Young one’s have the choice about their participation in sporting, cultural and community activities and are written in their cultural support plan
- Supporting ongoing safe connection to family
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child has the opportunity to develop their spirituality
- Young one’s and their extended family identify significant others and actively involve them in the young one’s life
- Carers are supported to deliver the best care possible
- Young one’s have a plan for leaving care that includes the practical support required to develop the skills they need
Why are the National Standards important?
‘It is of central importance for children and young people who are in out-of-home-care to have positive experiences and receive good care. With good care and love, they are more likely to recover from their past hurts or trauma and therefore more able to access opportunities in life.’
The National Standards have been created to improve the quality of care so that children and young people in out-of-home-care are given consistent, best practice care, no matter where they live.”
Furthermore, these National Standards have been created to improve the quality of care so that children and young people in out-of-home-care have the same ‘opportunities as other children and young people to reach their potential in life wherever they live in Australia.’
Further information:
SNAICC Poster
This interprets the 13 National Standards for Out-of-Home-Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Download Link
