A Wellbeing Outcomes Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women

Project Director - Natalie Walker

Project Manager - Noel Niddrie

In 2019 the Queensland Government, via the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, engaged Winangali who subcontracted Inside Policy, to develop a Wellbeing Outcomes Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Queensland.

In developing this Framework, we conducted extensive mapping and analysis of relevant Queensland government strategies, frameworks, action plans and programs and assessed their alignment with Our Way: A Generational Strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families 2017-2037. We undertook a desktop review of existing domestic and international wellbeing outcomes frameworks. Lastly, we engaged in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and young people, the Queensland First Children and Families Board and key government stakeholders, with preference given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander views on wellbeing.

The resultant Framework defines wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people and how wellbeing is measured. It outlines the aspirations that Indigenous families, Indigenous communities and the Queensland government have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to thrive and grow up safe and connected with community and culture.

The core components of the Framework are a rights-based environment, kin, country and culture, eight interconnected wellbeing domains such as Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing and Empowerment, Indicators and Adult institutions, including children’s direct carers, public services, and the government. The purpose of the Framework is to inform whole-of-government and agency policy development and decision making, and to guide service delivery efforts and community advocacy and initiatives toward achieving improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, youth and families. It provides a clear set of outcomes against which Our Way and its implementation can be evaluated from a strengths-based lens focusing on things that need to be changed and nurtured.

Links:

Read the "Wellbeing Outcomes Framework Overview" here. Read "A Wellbeing Outcomes Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Queensland" here.