Across the Northern Territory, there was no consistent or culturally aligned approach to kinship care assessment and support. This created variability in practice, and highlighted the need for a more structured, culturally responsive framework that could better support children, families and carers.
Importantly, there was a need to ensure that any future approach genuinely reflected the perspectives, cultural authority and lived experience of Aboriginal communities, where kinship care plays a vital and longstanding role in caring for children and maintaining connection to family, culture and Country.
KF Consulting led a consultative, co-design process grounded in partnership with local Aboriginal service providers and community representatives. This approach prioritised listening, cultural respect and collaboration, ensuring that Aboriginal voices were central to shaping the framework.
This was complemented by a comprehensive literature review of best practice in kinship care and assessment, drawing on national and international evidence. By integrating these insights with community knowledge, we supported the development of an evidence-informed and culturally grounded practice model.
The result was an Aboriginal-specific Kinship Care Practice Framework for the Northern Territory.
The framework provides clear, consistent guidance for assessment and support, while recognising the cultural strengths and unique context of Aboriginal kinship systems. It supports improved decision-making, strengthens practice consistency, and promotes better outcomes for children and families.
Most importantly, it establishes a culturally respectful foundation for ongoing engagement and continuous improvement, ensuring that kinship care practice remains responsive, community-led and sustainable.