Aboriginal Out-of-Home Care Transition
Here you can find out the latest news about what’s happening with the transition of Aboriginal children and young people from NGOs to ACCOs, and access resources and templates to help you in your transition planning. This dedicated web page and our regularly updated resources and information are designed to achieve successful transition for Aboriginal children to the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector. This is in line with the NSW Government’s current commitment, national initiatives such as Closing the Gap, and state initiatives such as Family is Culture.
The Aboriginal transition project is an important action that ACWA members are contributing to. ACWA NGO members are largely transition allies—committing to transition children and carers to, and working in partnership with, ACCOs.
ACWA also works collaboratively with AbSEC, DCJ, the Office of the Children’s Guardian, CREATE Foundation NSW, My Forever Family and our member agencies to achieve transition outcomes.
To obtain further information or share resources email OOHCtransition@acwa.asn.au or call the ACWA team on 02 9281 8822.
Supports and resources
ACWA provides resources and support to member agencies, children and families, and foster carers through a range of resources. Our focus is to help with common questions and facilitate information for practitioners, carers and member agencies.
For practitioners
ACWA has a range of resources on our transition page—things like a sample carer communication template and examples of what other agencies are using. Scroll through our resources on the sidebar. If your organisation has examples to share, your contributions are most welcome.
OOHCtransition@acwa.asn.au
ACWA’s Transition Support for NGO Foster Carers
Carers have spoken and we are listening. We encourage you to get in touch if you are carers of First Nations children managed by NGOs who are seeking advice and general information about transitioning to an ACCO. We are not decision makers but we can offer general information about reasons for transition, address issues, and provide general advice about next steps. ACWA does not share information without consent and carers may prefer to dial in anonymously. All transition inquiries from NGO carers are welcome and encouraged.
OOHCtransition@acwa.asn.au
For more information
Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) transition webpage: Transition to Aboriginal out-of-home-care agencies
Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) transition webpage: Transition of Aboriginal children and young people
For Carers
Carer FAQs: Aboriginal OOHC Transition Oct 2024
Letter to Carers from Minister Washington
OCG Aboriginal OOHC Transition Fact Sheet for Carers
Fact Sheet for Carers — Aboriginal OOHC Transition
FAQs for Families re ACCO transfer (Uniting)
AbSec Transition Project Resources
Carer experience: ‘Supported differently now’
Carer experience: ‘A happy outcome for all’
Carer experience: ‘Karen’s journey’
For Providers
Caseworker FAQs: Aboriginal OOHC Transition Oct 2024
Relevant Policy, Legislation & Media
Parent Factsheet: Aboriginal OOHC Transition Oct 2024
Map of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in NSW
CMT Cheatsheet for NGO’s and ACCOs
Talking with children and young people (Uniting)
Position Statement — Allies for Children (Sep 2024)
AbSec Transition Project Resources
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Fact Sheet for PSP Providers
DCJ Checklist: Documents required for Case Management Transfer (CMT)
OCG Carers Register Fact Sheet 5: Sharing Information
Case Managers Guide to Transition — February 2024
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Template documents for agency use
Template Letter to Carers: initial stages
Template Letter to Carers: transition advice
Case Management Transfer Guide (Burrun Dalai approved)
ACWA 2025 OOHC Transition Newsletters
Quarter 1: Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project newsletter
Previous ACWA Transition newsletters for service providers
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project newsletter: December 2024
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project newsletter: October 2024
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project newsletter: August 2024
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project newsletter: June 2024
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project newsletter: April 2024
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project newsletter: February 2024
Previous ACWA Transition newsletters for foster carers
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project Newsletter for Foster Carers: December 2024
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project Newsletter for Foster Carers: October 2024
Aboriginal OOHC Transition Project Newsletter for Foster Carers: July 2024
