Safe and Supported governance: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group (Leadership Group)

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(previously known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Working Group which supported development of Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031).

Under the governance framework for Safe and Supported, the Leadership Group is sharing implementation decision-making with Community Services Ministers.
Function
Policy
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partner/s

Convened and chaired by SNAICC. The Leadership Group’s members and special advisory members include jurisdictional peak bodies and nominated representatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Commissioners and subject matter experts.

Government agency partner
Department of Social Services
Priority reform
Priority Reform One
Outcome
Outcome 12
Partnership timeframes
The partnership between governments and the Leadership Group will continue over the life span of Safe and Supported (2021-2031)
Response agreed by both parties
Yes
Strong partnership elements - Clause 32
A
32 A(i)
Met
32 A(ii)
Met
32 A(iii)
Met
B
32 B(i)
Met
32 B(ii)
Met
32 B(iv)
Not applicable
C
32 C(i)
Met
32 C(ii)
Met
32 C(iii)
Met
32 C(iv)
Met
32 C(v)
Met
32 C(vi)
Met
Strong partnership elements - Clause 33
33
Met
Achievements over the last 12 months

On 31 January 2023, the Safe and Supported: First Action Plan 2023-2026 and Safe and Supported: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023-2026 were launched by Community Services Ministers and the Leadership Group. This is the first time First Nations people have designed and launched their own Action Plan, in partnership with government.

The Leadership Group has also co-designed the Improving Multidisciplinary Responses program which has included the development of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, a factsheet outlining priorities for funding and a Shared- Decision Making Framework defining how First Nations people and communities will share in the decision making through every stage of the program.

Strong partnership elements that continue to be embedded include:

32B(i) and 32(ii) - The leadership group will be further strengthened through a Formal Partnership Agreement between Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group due to be finalised in 2023. This Agreement will demonstrate a new way of working with First Nations people and communities. It will capture all governments’ commitment to working in partnership and shared decision-making with First Nations leaders to achieve the goals of Safe and Supported.  The agreement will align with the life of the first set of Safe and Supported Action Plans (2023-2026).

Partnership elements strengthened
  • 32BC(iii) remains unmet in 2023
  • 32C(iii) meets in 2023 - The leadership group will be further strengthened through a Formal Partnership Agreement between Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group due to be finalised in 2023. This Agreement will demonstrate a new way of working with First Nations people and communities. It will capture all governments’ commitment to working in partnership and shared decision-making with First Nations leaders to achieve the goals of Safe and Supported.  The agreement will align with the life of the first set of Safe and Supported Action Plans (2023-2026).