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Culture, Connection and Care: The Role of Institutional Justice Capital for Enhancing the Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children in Out-Of-Home Care
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Culture, Connection and Care: The Role of Institutional Justice Capital for Enhancing the Wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children in Out-Of-Home Care

Sharynne Hamilton, Larissa Jones, Millie Penny, Charmaine Pell, Sarah Maslen, Carol Michie, Raewyn Mutch, Melissa O'Donnell, Carrington Shepherd and Brad Farrant
The Australian journal of social issues, Vol.60(3), pp.890-901
2025
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Published387.81 kBDownloadView
CC BY V4.0 Open Access

Abstract

Social Issues Social Sciences
Ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children removed from their families by child protection services remain connected to their kin, Country and culture is a priority to begin to redress the intergenerational trauma and harm caused by colonisation. This article describes the views of staff working in three mainstream out-of-home care organisations, where children are cared for by non-Indigenous foster carers. Through the lenses of recovery and justice capital, we explore the cultural assets and resources that are made available to non-Indigenous foster carers providing care for children, as well as the institutional elements that either inhibit or facilitate cultural connection and activities. We argue that the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices when ascertaining information about children's culture and connection is critical to ensuring best cultural practice. Forums that support relationships are largely absent, and we identify important elements of institutional justice capital that could ensure children are connected and prevent further harm and trauma.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#10 Reduced Inequalities
#16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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InCites Highlights

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
6 Social Sciences
6.24 Psychiatry & Psychology
6.24.856 Child Welfare
Web Of Science research areas
Social Issues
ESI research areas
Social Sciences, general
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