A child protection workforce for the future

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are six times more likely to experience abuse or neglect than other children. However there is a real shortage of qualified Indigenous people working to protect kids in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities.

We know from experience that Indigenous families do better if they have access to a family worker they can relate to. So equipping Indigenous people with skills and full-time jobs is one of the most effective ways to close the gap of disadvantage between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

How we help

In 2008, ACT for Kids launched an Indigenous Traineeship Program, designed to equip Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with child protection qualifications and practical job experience. We collaborated with other reputable organisations throughout Far North Queensland to make it easy for Indigenous people to get into the course, find a traineeship, and get a job when they graduate.

So far, 22 students from Innisfail to Bamaga have graduated from the program with Certificate and Diploma qualifications in Community Services (Protective Care).

We’re now talking with universities to develop options for our students to pursue Bachelor qualifications.