This report reviews the progress of the Tasmanian (TAS) Government in implementing the full intent of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP).

This review is conducted on the basis of the best practice approach set out in SNAICC, 2017, Understanding and Applying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle – A Resource for Legislation, Policy, and Program Development and SNAICC, 2018, The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: A Guide to Support Implementation.

This review is based on available documentation gathered through a desktop review and input provided by the TAS Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector leaders.

Key Findings:

• For 2017-18, Indigenous status in Tasmania was not cross checked with data from other databases. As a result, the number of clients of ‘Unknown’ Indigenous status is larger than in previous years, impacting the reliability of data disaggregated by Indigenous status.
• The Department did partner with SNAICC over the reporting period to hold a two-day workshop to improve implementation of the ATSICPP. The Department also reports that it engaged an Aboriginal trainer to develop and deliver a training package Understanding Aboriginal Children and Families to Child Safety Staff to improve child safety and youth justice outcomes for Aboriginal children and their families in Tasmania.
• In a positive step, in June 2018 the Tasmanian Government appointed the state’s first child advocate. However, there is still no Aboriginal Children’s Commissioner to advocate for the interests of Aboriginal children in Tasmania.