Self-Determined Solutions To Child Protection And Family Wellbeing
Charity Partner
10 – 12 March | Eora/Sydney
The Brighton Hotel Sydney - MGallery Collection
The 2026 Pathways to Safety for First Nations Women and Children Forum is now CPD Accredited. Attendees will receive 7 points per day, with a certificate immediately following the event.
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Event Overview
Welcome to the inaugural Pathways to Safety for First Nations Women and Children Forum. This forum will bring together community leaders, researchers, policymakers and practitioners to share strategies that keep First Nations families strong and together. The program highlights how community-led, culturally safe systems are the key to breaking cycles of overrepresentation in child protection, supporting mothers and children with therapeutic care, and ensuring all First Nations children are raised in culturally affirming environments.
Hear from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and First Nations leaders as they showcase solutions that reflect cultural values, strengthen connection to Country and kin, address the root causes of trauma, poverty and disconnection. From birthing on Country to family reunification and trauma-informed healing, the conversations will focus on pathways that build long-term safety, resilience and self-determination for First Nations Women and Children.
Reasons to Attend
Explore how we can break the cycle of overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children in out of home care
Alira Tufui, Director of Innovation, AbSec will unpack the significance of the Aboriginal Family Preservation Model and how AbSec is working with communities and government to ensure successful implementation of the model.
Jessica Grace, Social Worker, Gunawirra, will provide insights from the Yarning Aboriginal Mothers Program which aims to support and empower Aboriginal mothers and break cycles of intergenerational trauma through culture and connection.
Ensuring community voices are at the table when designing systems of safety
Antoinette Braybrook, CEO, Djirra will deliver a keynote on the need for self-determined futures, where investment into Aboriginal women and children is at the center of all service design and therapeutic and culturally affirming supports replace punitive responses.
Isabella Copetti, Deputy Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) will discuss the barriers mothers face in child protection and how culturally respectful legal advocacy can change outcomes.
Driving systemic reforms across sectors to create a holistic and integrated approach
Shifting punitive responses to self-determined therapeutic support for children and mothers: This panel, featuring Cindy Torrens, CEO, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service, Carly Stanley, CEO, Deadly Connections, Jacynta Krakour, Aboriginal Enterprise Fellow, Australian Centre for Child Protection and Madeleine Mitchell, Senior Social Worker, Jaghu Maternity & Infant Program will discuss how systemic change across service delivery in health, education, and justice is critical to improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Cultural Workshop Day | 12 March
Connecting with Culture and Strengthening Communities
Join Kari, a leading community-led organisation in the space of Aboriginal Child Protection, for a day of learning, connecting, sharing and supporting one another to continue the important work you do in your communities. Kari provides a range of services in the areas of child and family, culture, education, sport, healthy lifestyle and more, all of which begin with meaningful community engagement.
Featured Speakers
Antoinette Braybrook
Chief Executive Officer
Djirra
The Hon Jodie Harrison MP
Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
NSW Government
Alira Tufui
Director of Innovation
AbSec
Kirsty Maylin
Director Indigenous Operations Policy and Support
Federal Circuit and Family Court
Carly Stanley
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Deadly Connections
Isabella Copetti
Deputy Principal Legal Officer Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
Who Should Attend?
Those responsible for designing and delivering safety for First Nations Women and Children, programmes and services from:
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Aboriginal Clinical Psychologists
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Maternal and Child Health Managers
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Program Managers (Birthing on Country, Infant & Maternity Programs)
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Social Workers & Family Wellbeing Practitioners
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Professors / Associate Professors / Senior Researchers (child protection, Indigenous studies, trauma and healing, law)
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Heads of Aboriginal Education Units
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Directors of Research Centres
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Chief Executive Officers, Executive Directors, Heads of Department
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Program Coordinators (Family Preservation, Early Intervention, Youth & Family Services)
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Case Managers (Child and Family Services, Housing Support, Domestic Violence Programs)
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Community Engagement Leads
Venue
Address: Corner of Princess Street & The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands, NSW 2216
Conference Room: Endeavour Ballroom
Workshop Room: Supply