Lawlink NSW: Appendix A: Non-Government Organisations

Barnardos believes that Aboriginal children and their families are best cared for within their own community, but recognises the needs of Aboriginal families.

Barnardos Substitute Care programs would not generally accept an Aboriginal child as a referral. The basis of this policy is that substitute care has been used in the past as an instrument of oppression of the Aboriginal people and that the community itself does not wish for this service.

Barnardos Family Support Services would wherever possible refer an Aboriginal family to an appropriate Aboriginal service. However, where this was not available, and where the family itself was seeking assistance the referral would be taken.

In this situation we would do our utmost to respect the cultural background of the family.

Wherever possible Barnardos would work in close co-operation with Aboriginal services and consultation would be sought at every available opportunity.

Care Force Anglican Adoption Agency - Policy on Aboriginal Placements (Adoption)

i) Where a child is surrendered for adoption, aboriginality is defined in the first instance in terms of the parents’ perception of themselves as aboriginal.

ii) If one parent of a child surrendered for adoption identifies himself as aboriginal and is identified in the community in which he lives as aboriginal, it is imperative that the child be placed in an aboriginal family.

iii) If the birth parent is aware of a trace of aboriginality in his background, but is significantly caucasian or other race, and does not identify with aboriginal people, nor wish the child to be placed in an aboriginal family, and aboriginal appearance is not evident in the child, the surrendering parents wishes should be respected.

iv) If the parent and the child are aboriginal in appearance, aboriginal placement must be considered, even if the parent would prefer placement with non-aboriginal parents. Counselling will be given prior to the consent being taken.

i) Working with the Birth Parents: If the aboriginality is acknowledged and/or significant, the Agency’s policy of placing the child with an aboriginal family should be discussed with the birth parents in the initial information giving stages, and the parents’ wishes ascertained. The birth parents should have full knowledge of this before signing a consent for the adoption of the child. It is essential to work with parents to help them recognise and accept the issues involved, relating to the child’s cultural identity and the subsequent alienation the child may experience if significantly aboriginal, yet placed in a caucasian family. Assistance of an aboriginal worker in counselling the birth parents will be offered.

ii) Attempts should be made to establish relevant kinship ties and ancestry of the birth parents, so that these may be considered in recruitment and selection of adoptive parents.

iii) Given the different concept of family in aboriginal culture and the importance of kinship links, access of the birth parents to the child should be considered in making arrangements for the adoption of the child if birth parents request it.

i) Recruitment and assessment of adoptive parents shall be undertaken in consultation with, and assistance from, an aboriginal worker.

ii) A placement plan will be worked out together by the aboriginal worker and the adoption worker in relation to the particular case, defining roles and responsibilities in decision making.

iii) Recruitment of suitable adoptive parents will be initiated by the aboriginal worker within the aboriginal community.

iv) Selection, assessment and preparation of suitable adoptive parents will be undertaken by an adoption worker in consultation with an aboriginal worker.

v) Approval of adoptive parents shall be given by the Adoption Committee at a meeting of that committee to which the aboriginal worker will be invited. An aboriginal child will not be placed in contravention of the wishes of the aboriginal worker.

vi) Follow-up and the legal application for the adoption order will be the responsibility of the Adoption Agency, with continuing consultation where necessary with the aboriginal worker.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will usually be referred to an Aboriginal children’s service. Centacare will only place Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children with the support of an Aboriginal agency and after ensuring that the placement principle set out in Section 87 of the Children (Care and Protection) Act has been observed.¹

It is our policy to explore with an Aboriginal birthparent the care options within the child’s extended family and/or Aboriginal community to which the child belongs. If such care was not practicable or in the child’s best interests, then we would seek placement with prospective adopters who identify as Aboriginal and who have a commitment to raising the child with an understanding of his/her cultural and racial heritage. In so doing, Centacare Adoption Services would liaise with relevant Aboriginal Welfare Organisations and Aboriginal Children’s Services.²

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