As part of National Child Protection Week, the Department of Communities launched new culturally responsive revisions to Western Australia’s Signs of Safety Child Protection Practice Framework (WA SofS Framework) as part of the ongoing commitment to work proactively with families to build safety around children.
On Monday 8 September the new principle and discipline, was launched with representatives of the Child and Family Alliance of Western Australia joining the Director General and the Child Protection and Family Support Executive leadership team.
The revisions to the WA SofS Framework support practitioners to provide culturally responsive practice specifically tailored to the individual needs of children and families.
The new culturally responsive principle, ‘Culture at the Heart’, ensures the WA SofS framework explicitly respects and values the culture of children and families involved with child protection services.
The culturally responsive discipline ‘Culture guides practice at every step’ encourages practitioners to adapt their practice to fully reflect the culture and customs of Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse children, families and communities throughout their work with the family.
The revisions have been made in consultation with Aboriginal Practice Leaders and other Aboriginal staff, Aboriginal Community leaders and people with lived experience to ensure the updated WA SofS Framework reflects what’s important for Aboriginal families and recognises the importance self-determination. These revisions align with the strengths-based and solution focussed aspects inherent in the WA SofS Framework to support all children and families.
The revised WA SofS Framework aligns with Active Efforts to achieve Closing the Gap targets including reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care, and strengthening placement, prevention, participation, partnership and connection for Aboriginal children who come into contact with child protection services.
The amendments also complement Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031, the Aboriginal Cultural Framework 2024-2034 and One Communities Family and Domestic Violence Policy.
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