Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) provide holistic, culturally responsive care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in New South Wales and yet are significantly under-resourced, under-trusted, and excluded from decision making in the child protection system compared to non-ACCO Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). This report addresses this challenge.

What ACCOs are calling for

• An Aboriginal community-led child protection system which embeds ACCOs in decision-making at all levels and applies place-based funding for ACCOs to respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families.
• Service integration and genuine partnership – through service hubs that address fragmented service delivery, streamline access to holistic and relevant support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families and ensures ACCOs lead design, delivery and decision-making in the child protection system, including reform processes.
• Aboriginal-led commissioning that prioritises community needs and provides flexibility in how funds are used and services are delivered, instead of competitive procurement processes.
• Accelerate the transition of case management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out of home care to ACCOs.
• Long-term, equitable and proportionate investment that grows ACCO-led services and reflects the actual cost of culturally safe, community-led service delivery.
• Dedicated Aboriginal workforce strategy, including pay parity with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and NGOs, training pathways, cadetships, and career development opportunities.
• Governance and business development supports that stabilise systems and reduce administrative load.