Berry Street

Berry Street is one of Australia’s largest independent child, youth and family service organisations, providing a diverse range of programs to 40,000 children, young people and families in Victoria each year. Berry Street services include education, out of home care, family violence services, therapeutic care, parenting, family and youth services. This submission examines the over-representation of Aboriginal children and their families in the child protection and criminal justice systems today and the intersect between these systems. The submission focuses on: addressing factors influencing over-representation; building culturally respectful service systems; early years; education; and sustainable resourcing for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.