For Aboriginal children and young people, their family, community, clan, traditions and customs are integral to the development of their sense of identity and overall wellbeing. Connection to community and culture have a significant impact on a child or young person’s social, emotional, health, educational and psychological development and help shape their journey into adulthood as strong, resilient and connected people.
In Victoria, it is a Legislative requirement that all Aboriginal children in out-of-home care are to be provided with a cultural plan that is aligned to their case plan. This requirement is outlined in the Children, Youth and Families Act. The same act s.10(3) (c ) also states “the need, in relation to an Aboriginal child, to protect and promote their Aboriginal cultural and spiritual identity and development by, wherever possible, maintaining and building their connections to their Aboriginal family and community. “
The cultural plan ensures that every Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child in out of home care retains their connections to family, community and culture by mapping out an individualised plan that captures key cultural information about the child or young person and ensures that the child’s culture is acknowledged, nurtured, supported and strengthened.