Story of the cover

The need for a specific Cultural Support Plan template was identified in many forums and conferences including the "Families Are Forever - Build Them Strong" conference facilitated by the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency in 2004.

It was at this conference that it was stated that Cultural Support templates are needed in order to provide consistency across the state in regard to the content of Cultural Support Plans.

Due to the impact of the Stolen Generation and past "welfare" policies many Aboriginal children were disconnected from their families and communities resulting in the loss of their language and culture. This has had a devastating affect on Aboriginal people, families and communities. It is important that Aboriginal children who are placed in out of home care remain connected to their families, communities and culture. Cultural Support Plans will be the tool that assists Child Protection Workers to maintain these connections

A range of departmental service improvement initiatives such as Minimum Standards in Home Based Care, Looking After Children (LAC) and the practice instruction "Responding to Aboriginal Children and Young People" all refer to the use of Cultural Support Plans, resulting in the development of the Cultural Support Plan template and guide.

The Cultural Support Plan Template and Guide will assist and support Child Protection workers in ensuring that they keep Aboriginal children and young people connected to their family, community and culture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Support Plan Practice Instructions and Tools

• The Guide [PDF 1.7mb 20 pages] (contact us if you have trouble downloading this file)
• Review Template and Guide [PDF 320kb 8 pages]
• The Form [PDF 622kb 21 pages]

Front cover: My picture is of the sand goanna where it has run all over the sand dunes and left its tracks to go drink water at the waterhole. My colours represent the earth. Mahala