This report examines the lived experiences of Aboriginal children and young people in Victoria and the factors contributing to their over-representation in the youth justice system.

This report makes 15 recommendations to enhance the service system’s capacity to improve the experiences and life outcomes for young people transitioning from care by responding to their needs, challenges and aspirations.

This inquiry spoke with more than 200 children and young people in or with experience of kinship, foster and residential care in Victoria. Their voices shape the 43 findings and 17 recommendations that this report makes to the Victorian government.

This inquiry report examines the deaths by suicide of 35 children and young people within 12 months of their involvement in child protection over the period 1 April 2007–1 April 2019. The report highlights the chasm between formal, coercive child protection interventions, and a child and family service system reliant on voluntary engagement.

This report found that Aboriginal communities want to see significant improvement in the frequency, quality and evaluation of programs to protect and promote Aboriginal cultural rights, and calls on the Victorian Department of Justice and Regulation to develop a social and emotional well-being strategy for Koori children in custody.