An increasing number of Aboriginal children are entering the child protection system and many struggle to access support.
Senior figures in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and a grassroots activist gave evidence on Wednesday to the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which is examining Victoria's child protection and criminal justice systems.
The chief executive of Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative said there were more children in care than ever before.
"It's not getting better, it's getting worse," Aaron Wallace told the commission.
Some children in care who attempted suicide were unable to get adequate counselling, according to Aunty Hazel Hudson, a director at Njernda Aboriginal Corporation.
"When kids cry out by self mutilating, trying to commit suicide or threatening people and coming across as violent to other people - that's their cry (for help)."
Much of the hearing focused on a program that allows Aboriginal-led organisations to take responsibility for young people under child protection orders.
The program, known as Section 18, is designed to ensure the children's case management is culturally safe.
However some child protection workers from non-Aboriginal backgrounds imposed their own values and the system was geared towards a "white lens", according to Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative chief executive Felicia Dean.
"Often that white lens is grounded in a basis of prejudice and racism and unconscious bias. You know it's there, are there are lots of examples of that," she told the commission.
Ms Dean gave an example of a "gung-ho" worker who told a foster mother her house was dirty and she needed to cut the lawn if she wished to continue looking after a baby who'd been in her care for about 12 months.
"The house is cluttered, it's not dirty. That doesn't affect her capacity to love and provide a safe environment and care for that child," Ms Dean said.
"Yeah, they're making this assessment all blackfellas are dirty."
Earlier in the week the commission heard claims the child protection system was riddled with systemic racism.
A spokesperson for the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing responded, saying "racism in any environment is deeply concerning".
"We welcome the truth-telling process, and we will listen to and support the Commission in its work to confront the truth of historical and ongoing injustices in our systems, policies and legislation," the spokesperson said.
Hearings will resume on Thursday.
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