The Continued Journey
In 1992 a protocol between the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) and the Child Protection Program within the Department of Human Services was established in response to the implementation of the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) 1989.
In 2001 the Department of Human Services undertook consultation with DHS, Aboriginal services and members of the Aboriginal community for the purpose of reviewing the operation of the 1992 protocol and developing a new protocol.
The consultations involved regional focus groups, which comprised members of the local Aboriginal community, local Aboriginal service organisations, Statewide Aboriginal organisations and regional DHS Child Protection workers. The process of consultation was inclusive, with a priority of ensuring as many members of Aboriginal agencies working in the child welfare field and the Aboriginal community have contributed to the inception and development of a new protocol (Refer to Appendix A – Attendance List).
Consultations have revealed clear directions and themes as to how Child Protection intervention should be conducted with Indigenous children and young people.