The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle — commonly known as the ATSICPP — is one of the most significant principles in Australian child protection. It exists to address the devastating impact of past policies that separated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities, and to ensure that today's child protection system supports rather than severs cultural connections.

This guide explains the five elements of the ATSICPP, what they mean in practice, and how you can ensure the principle is being applied in cases that affect Aboriginal children in your family or community.

A Brief History

For much of the 20th century, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were systematically removed from their families under government policies — creating what became known as the Stolen Generations. The profound trauma of this period continues to affect families and communities today, contributing to the significant overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in the current child protection system.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children make up approximately 5% of the Australian child population but represent around 35% of children in out-of-home care. The ATSICPP is a legislative response to this reality.

"Connection to family, community, and culture is not a nice-to-have for Aboriginal children. It is fundamental to their identity, their mental health, and their future."

The Five Elements of the ATSICPP

1. Prevention

2. Partnership

The second element requires that Aboriginal communities be genuine partners in decisions affecting Aboriginal children. This means more than just being informed — it means having a real say in how services are designed, who delivers them, and how decisions are made about individual children. Aboriginal community-controlled organisations should be at the centre of service delivery.

3. Placement

When an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child must be placed in out-of-home care, the placement hierarchy under the ATSICPP must be followed:

  1. With a member of the child's family
  2. With a member of the child's Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community
  3. With another Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
  4. With a non-Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is committed to maintaining the child's cultural connections

Departures from this hierarchy must be justified and documented.

4. Participation

Aboriginal children, families, and communities must have meaningful participation in all decisions about the child's care. This includes decisions about placement, care plans, contact arrangements, and permanency planning. Processes like Family Group Conferencing are one way to ensure genuine family participation.

5. Connection

Regardless of where an Aboriginal child is placed, they must maintain connection to their family, community, culture, country, and language. This is an ongoing obligation — not just considered at the time of placement, but actively supported throughout the child's time in care.

💡 In Practice: Maintaining connection might mean arranging regular visits to country, attending cultural events and ceremonies, learning language, being in contact with Elders, or simply having culturally appropriate food and art in the home.

What If the ATSICPP Is Not Being Applied?

If you believe the ATSICPP is not being properly applied in a case involving an Aboriginal child, there are several steps you can take:

  • Contact an Aboriginal Legal Service for advice and advocacy
  • Request a Family Group Conference to ensure family voice is heard in decision-making
  • Raise the issue directly with the DCJ caseworker's manager
  • Contact the NSW Ombudsman if your concerns are not addressed
  • Seek legal representation in any court proceedings

How Family Safe Solutions Applies the ATSICPP

At Family Safe Solutions, the ATSICPP is not just a legislative requirement — it is a fundamental value that shapes everything we do. In practice, this means:

  • Actively involving Aboriginal family members and community in every FGC involving Aboriginal children
  • Working with Elders and cultural advisors as part of the FGC preparation process where appropriate
  • Ensuring that placement plans explicitly address cultural connection and continuity
  • Advocating within the child protection system when we believe the ATSICPP is not being properly applied
  • Ongoing professional development in cultural safety and trauma-informed practice

Resources for Aboriginal Families

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander family involved in the child protection system, the following organisations can provide culturally safe support and advocacy:

  • Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) NSW/ACT — legal advice and representation
  • ACWA (Association of Children's Welfare Agencies) — sector resources
  • Local Aboriginal Land Councils — community support and cultural guidance
  • Family Safe Solutions — FGC facilitation, assessments, and advocacy

Need Support From an Expert?

Family Safe Solutions provides professional, compassionate child protection services across NSW.

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