Making active efforts

When making significant decisions about an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child, Child Safety is required to make active efforts to apply the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.

Active efforts means that Child Safety must do everything it is practical to do, as soon as possible, to make sure the child is safe and stays connected to their family, culture and community.

Child Safety must also uphold the family's right to be involved when important decisions are being made.

Child Safety will make active efforts to:

• respect and understand the child’s culture
• make sure the child and their family can have their say
• listen to what the child and family say before decisions are made
• support families to have an independent person
• work with the local community-controlled organisations so families get the right help at the right time.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can talk to their Child Safety Officer if they feel that active efforts are not being made.

If families still have concerns after talking to their Child Safety Officer, they can talk to their Child Safety Service Centre Manager.

They can also contact the department's Complaints Unit.

The Making Active Efforts brochure and poster can be downloaded but are also available in print. Ask for a copy at a Child Safety Service Centre or send a request via the Complaints Unit.