DCJ and NSW Health Joint Protocol to improve child protection outcomes in health facilities for Aboriginal people

A Steering Committee which includes and is chaired by First Nations peoples has been established to develop the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Health Joint Protocol to improve child protection outcomes in health facilities for Aboriginal people. The proposed purpose of the joint protocol is to:

1. Embed Aboriginal led governance and accountability mechanisms to hold DCJ and NSW Health to account and escalate issues when needed at a system and local level.
2. Develop policies to ensure child protection processes for Aboriginal families in NSW Health services are culturally safe, trauma informed and have Aboriginal governance and shared decision making. This includes:

• Child abuse medical assessments via ED
• DCJ safety assessments in hospital settings
• High Risk Birth Alerts and prenatal casework and supports
• Assumptions of Care, including newborns
• The role of police in health services

3. Embed transparent and consistent communication and coordination process between DCJ, NSW Health staff, including the Aboriginal health team and Aboriginal Community Controlled Heath Services (ACCHS).
4. Establish or scale up programs and procedures which facilitate DCJ, NSW Health and ACCHSs to work together to take ‘active efforts’ to prevent Aboriginal children entering out of home care.

A Health program of work to improve child protection outcomes for Aboriginal families in NSW Health facilities is being developed to underpin the Joint Protocol with DCJ.