‘Keeping Ourselves Safe From the System’: Perinatal Care Model Considerations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families Intersecting With Child Protection

ABSTRACT It is the priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and Australian governments, to provide infants with enriching environments in which they may thrive. This is particularly critical during the perinatal period. Yet, an increasing number of notifications and interventions by child protection authorities are occurring in the first year of life. This research reports parent, service provider and researcher perspectives about systemic considerations on a community‐led preventative, perinatal care model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at risk of child protection involvement. Reflexive thematic analysis of discussions with 22 parents and 80 practitioners from across Australia is included, with 61% of participants identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Three themes were generated: (1) Child Protection is a Colonial System, (2) Risk‐Averse Practice within Child Protection and Allied Systems, (3) Centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Knowledges is Vital. Our analysis suggests that dominant Western ideologies, processes, and structures that underpin secondary and tertiary interventions (e.g., bureaucratic processes) present inherent barriers to Aboriginal‐led interventions. Honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, sovereignty, and leadership are crucial to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to thrive, in turn reducing child removals.