This resource is designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous organisations to consider and adopt partnership-centred approaches when applying for funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family support services.

In the event that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation is not currently able to provide a service or program on its own, a nonIndigenous organisation can play a valuable role in partnering with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation. This resource outlines key questions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous organisation to ask when considering applying for funding to deliver child and family support services dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Key Findings:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations need to consider the value of a potential partnership for meeting the needs of children and families in their community and for advancing their own service development aspirations. It is important that due diligence is undertaken to ensure that any potential partnership will benefit the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders community.
• It needs to be recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage reflects historical and continuing discrimination, and working to correct resulting power and resource imbalances. Agreements need to clarify commitments, roles and accountability with time and resources allocated to joint planning, review, and partnership development.
• Negotiated and shared vision is developed across the partnership. Partners jointly develop indicators of success and work together to monitor and evaluate progress.

Funding application processes should include assessment criteria that value cultural knowledge, capability and safety in the provision of services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Including these criteria can assist to ensure that the knowledge, skills and relationships that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation bring to the partnership is valued in the application and assessment process. It enables partners to focus on how the partnership will build capacity for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service delivery as a component of the application.