Aboriginal parenting strategy is desperately needed
The Commissioner for Children and Young People WA Colin Pettit has welcomed the State Government’s announcement for a pilot early intervention and support service for struggling Aboriginal parents.
Mr Pettit said the proposed Aboriginal In-Home Practical Support Services initiative was a desperately-needed concept to better protect children.
“The number of Aboriginal children and young people being removed from their parents continues to grow and working intensively with parents even prior to birth is an important strategy to reverse this concerning trend,” Mr Pettit said.
“It is vital for struggling families to receive the full range of individualised support services they need, such as mental health, drug and alcohol, and parenting services.
“In my recent consultation with young people in contact the WA youth justice system, family dysfunction was named as the most significant factor that contributes to their offending behaviour.
“Young people identified the need for stable homes, boundaries and consequences in their lives, and a range of positive adult role models – so if implemented well, this strategy will also deliver a safer, more cohesive community.
“I will be following closely the detail of how this pilot is implemented from January 2018 and how the results are measured and reported.”
The views of WA children and young people in care and in the justice system are outlined in two reports released recently by the Commissioner: