South Australia is on the brink of having a record 5,000 children in state care, with a disproportionate number being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. But a new program aimed at helping families address child protection concerns, is proving successful, prompting the state government to propose changes to the law.
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00:00Crystal is a proud mum, but she's still coming to terms with having several children taken interstate care.
00:11It's like your heart has been ripped out of your body. There's no other way to put it.
00:17Someone's just ripped your heart out with their hands. That's exactly how it feels.
00:20The ABC has changed Crystal's name due to laws protecting the identity of children in care.
00:27The First Nations woman has experienced domestic violence, homelessness and mental ill health.
00:33And when she fell pregnant again earlier this year, she feared her baby would be removed.
00:39I was so scared, like knowing that stuff, I was petrified to go through this journey again.
00:45But this time Crystal's baby stayed in her care.
00:49The mum was referred to Family Group Conferencing, a program that sits families down to discuss how they can address child protection concerns.
00:58It brings us back to self-determination around how as a family do we keep children safe within the family network.
01:07Sarah de Crea has spent years helping mums such as Crystal.
01:11For too long, when life becomes hard for people, the system starts to police.
01:16And in Family Group Conferencing, it's about actually working together in solutions to try to, for the best interests of children.
01:25A recent study by the Australian Centre for Child Protection found that children of families who participate in group conferences are significantly less likely to be maltreated or taken into care.
01:36Similar programs are run in other states, including New South Wales and Victoria.
01:41Just over 90% of Family Group Conferences are really successful.
01:46Under proposed laws before SA Parliament, the Child Protection Department would be required to offer Aboriginal families a group conference if it has concerns about their child's welfare.
01:58But advocates say that doesn't go far enough.
02:03They've written to MPs calling on them to further scrutinise the bill.
02:07On Thursday, Parliament's Upper House referred the legislation to a select committee.
02:12It should be a mandatory referral. The Department is not equipped to do the offering.
02:18We are making sure that through legislation there is that requirement. It's a really important requirement.
02:25Crystal says all at-risk mothers should have the option of Family Group Conferencing.
02:30She's now in the process of being reunified with her older children and looks forward to a brighter future.
02:36Just because you've had kids taken before, it doesn't mean that all of them are going to be taken.
02:41And it can mean that you can get your other kids back too. It can be a bridge to reunification of your family.