The Aboriginal Child Placement Principle (ACPP) was established to govern the practice of child protection services in Victoria, and to strengthen Aboriginal children's connections with their family, community and cultural identity particularly in response to previous detrimental policies. It was first incorporated into legislation in Victoria in 1989.
The Aboriginal Child Placement Principle (ACPP) governs the practice of child protection services in Victoria. It is endorsed by the SNAICC and is incorporated into the Victorian government's Children, Youth and Families' Act 2005. The ACPP aims to strengthen Aboriginal children's connections with their family, community and cultural identity particularly in response to previous detrimental policies.
All Aboriginal children who become involved with child protection services which results in their removal from their families are governed by the ACPP to ensure that their identity as an Aboriginal is preserved. The purpose of the ACPP is to enhance and preserve Aboriginal children's sense of identity as an Aboriginal by ensuring that Aboriginal children and young people are maintained within their own biological family, extended family, local Aboriginal community, wider Aboriginal community and maintaining their connections to their Aboriginal culture.
The Aboriginal Child Placement Principle promotes a hierarchy of placement options as outlined below:
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 12 February 2009, Last modified: 13 June 2012