‘That's the bloodline’: Does Kinship and care translate to Kinship care?

Kinship for First Nations people is a fundamental, yet complex, element of one's culture, enabling both belonging and relationality, extending beyond blood family relations. also recognized as important within out-of-home care (OOHC) systems, with kinship being the predominant OOHC placement type in Australia (AIHW, 2021). However, when children young are removed by state, placed into OOHC, it to interrogate whether placements enable cultural connection continuity ways understanding Kinship. This article begins contextualising current policy practice where westernised homogenised concept touted similar notions Here, Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) has become oversimplified equating relative care, thus creating ambiguity voiding traditions while person care. then reports findings qualitative interviews 37 non-Indigenous concerning use term ‘Kinship’ New South Wales (NSW), how operationalised understood. Wide-ranging experiences participants were evident, demonstrating imperative broader needs be applied that consistent Kinship, on their own not enough keep connected culture. The from this study show problematically NSW legal definitions Ensuring traditions, practices contexts paramount.