There is an over-representation of Aboriginal children in State care and this poses a real threat to the identity and culture of those children, as well as impacts on the family and community of those children. In Western Australia, Aboriginal children represent close to 50% of all children in care, despite accounting for only 5% of children and young people across Western Australia. Of Aboriginal children in care, 71% of Aboriginal children in care are placed with Aboriginal carers. While rates of out-of-home care have continued to rise, the increase is significantly higher for Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal children. Out-of-home care is when a child is removed from the care of their parents and placed with relative carers or foster carers. From 2003 until 2013, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placement rate has more than doubled. In addition, the number of Aboriginal children in care is increasing at a higher rate in regional areas than metropolitan. There is a serious and real risk that the placement of these Aboriginal children with non-Aboriginal families will result in the disconnection of Aboriginal children from family and culture. For references and the full report please click here.