An agreement has been reached to prevent Aboriginal children from being forcibly taken from their families and communities in western New South Wales.
Grandmothers Against Removals (GMAR) finalised the deal with the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) that will ensure Aboriginal elders are consulted if concerns are raised about a child's welfare.
GMAR spokesperson Suellyn Tighe said they had developed a model that would give Aboriginal people greater input into the care of their children after there had been an “unprecedented increase” in the number of children being removed.
Tighe said: “This document is bringing to the attention of FACs that Aboriginal families and communities have a great role and probably the most important role.”
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