The Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative joins the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency in becoming authorised following its Section 18 ‘As If’ pilot program – so named because the organisation has been acting as if fully authorised.

BDAC chief executive Raylene Harradine said the authorisation would come into effect in the first week of December.

The program will be renamed Mutjang bupuwingarrak mukman, which means keeping kids safe.

BDAC will initially be authorised to support up to 36 children.

“What this does is allows a child to receive culturally sensitive planning and case management from an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that understands their needs,” Ms Harradine said.

“We know that when Aboriginal children remain in Aboriginal care it ensures connection to country, to culture, to family and community. It reinforces a sense of identity, builds resilience and provides an opportunity to heal.”

A further five staffers are being recruited to the organisation to deliver the program, making for a team of eight.

BDAC will also deliver the Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice Support Service in the Loddon area.

ACSASS, as it’s known in the industry, ensures Aboriginal agencies are consulted before any significant decision is made regarding an Aboriginal child in child protection. 

“The future of all Aboriginal children matters and we will continue to ensure the welfare of our children are a priority,” Ms Harradine said.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over-represented in the child protection system, being seven times as likely to have received services than non-Indigenous children.

Data from 2016-17 shows Indigenous children are about 10 times as likely to be on a care and protection order than non-Indigenous children, and 10 times as likely to be in out-of-home-care.

BDAC was recognised at the 2018 Victorian Protecting Children Awards for its work on the Section 18 ‘As Is’ program.

Ms Harradine has been invited to speak at the Improving Outcomes for Vulnerable Children forum in Sydney on November 27-28.

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