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FROM THE MINISTER
As I look back on the achievements of 2006, I have been impressed
by the energy and commitment of foster carers and pleased
with the progress that has been made to support you.
Foster Care Week in September recognised the important role
foster carers fulfil in our community. I believe it is important
to celebrate and for the community to recognise the invaluable
service that foster carers provide. It was wonderful that
so many ACT children and young people in care and their carer
families enjoyed the picnic at the National Zoo and Aquarium,
and other events, as part of the week’s celebrations.
This year the launch of the Indigenous Foster Care Program
in the ACT was a monumental step for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander community, children and young people in care,
and indeed, the whole ACT community.
Thank you to those who gave their comments on the draft Handbook
for Foster Carers. The feedback is being reviewed at the moment,
before the handbook is published early next year. I am sure
the handbook will be a valuable reference for foster carers.
As the end of the year approaches I would like to take the
opportunity to thank foster carers for all that you do for
the children and young people in your care and for making
an enormous difference to the lives of these children and
young people.
My best wishes to you and you families for an enjoyable and
safe Christmas.
Katy Gallagher Minister for Children, Youth and Family Support
December 2005
ACKNOWLEDGING FOSTER
CARERS
As Christmas approaches I would like to take the opportunity
to acknowledge the important role foster carers have in our
community. The community owes foster and kinship carers a
great debt of gratitude. We are fortunate that we have members
of our community who are committed to opening their homes
and hearts to children and young people who need 'a home away
from home'.
We have approximately 350 children and young people in out-of-home
care in the ACT and 85 per cent of these children are in foster
or kinship care. Children and young people who come into care
have experienced a degree of trauma. Foster parents are often
required to show great patience and skill in responding to
their needs. Without the dedication and contribution of foster
carers, the lives of these children and young people would
be very different.
Needless to say, we must maintain our focus to ensure we
can continue to provide care to those young people who need
it. There will, of course, be challenges in the coming year.
We will need to be actively recruiting, developing and retaining
foster carers. We will continue to engage with the ACT community
to ensure we achieve the best possible outcomes for children
and young people in care. Finally, we remain determined to
ensure that the people who care for them are recognised for
their valuable contribution and are well supported.
Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and
safe Christmas holiday season. I would like to thank you for
the contribution you have made to the lives of many children
and young people and I look forward to working with you in
the coming year.
Sandra Lambert Chief Executive Officer Department of Disability,
Housing and Community Services
LOOKING BACK ON THE ASSOCIATION’S
WORK IN 2005
I absolutely cannot believe that here we are at Christmas
once again. This has been an absolutely jam packed year for
your Association and I would like to share with you just some
of the highlights.
In addition to our regular meetings with Katy Gallagher,
Minister for Community Services; Sandra Lambert, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Department of Disability, Housing
and Community Services; Lou Denley, the Executive Director
of the Office of Children, Youth and Family Support; Directors
of all of the Non Government Agencies: Galilee, Barnardos,
Marymead and Life without Barriers, we have been out and about
the Eastern States.
In February we travelled to Melbourne for an Australian Foster
Care Association (AFCA) meeting to advance improvements for
children in care and their foster and kinship carers across
Australia. We are pleased to report that we feel AFCA has
been influential in having the foster caring work of single
foster parents recognised as a valuable and essential community
service. Without this recognition single foster parents would
have been obliged to participate in Welfare to Work and this
would invariably have meant that a number of our single foster
parents would not have been able to continue fostering.
In July a large party of carers flew to Alice Springs for
the National Foster Care Conference and National Recognition
Awards….and no it was not just a good time. Before the
Conference we took part in the National Foster Care Plan meetings
aimed at improving standards across Australia. The National
Conference was wonderful. I never fail to be inspired by the
people I meet and the innovative and progressive programs
helping children and families. Our particular thanks to Marymead
for assisting a number of their carers to attend this conference.
In August Cheryl Walford and myself accompanied two young
people to the Face-to-Face Conference in Brisbane which highlighted
the needs of young people transitioning out of care.
In September we held our annual Foster Care Week lunch at
the Hellenic Club. More than 100 carers and workers attended
and we welcomed Sandra Lambert to her first luncheon. She
was happy to present to two of our ACT carers their National
Recognition Awards for more than 20 years service to fostering.
At the end of October, with the help of a grant from the Children’s
Week Committee, we were able to obtain funding for a day outing
at the National Zoo and Aquarium for all foster and kinship
carers and their families. The rather gloomy day did not dampen
anyone’s spirits and we all stood out with our purple
ribbons and the children’s painted faces as we took
over the zoo. Many lovely reunions took place and Sandra Lambert
came down to talk personally to many carers about their issues.
All the NGO’s contributed something to the day and we
were very encouraged to receive more than 300 RSVP’s.
We are hoping this will become an annual event as it has proved
so popular.
Currently, one of our carer families is fund raising for
the FCA by lighting their home in Callabonna Street Kaleen.
Even Santa drops in every evening. If you are out enjoying
the Christmas lights at this time of year, drop in and introduce
yourself.
We hope you are finding the information in the newsletter
useful and please drop us a line if there is anything we can
assist you with.
Have a Happy Christmas and I hope 2006 is good to each and
everyone.
Regards
Sue Mannion
President
CRISIS CARE FOR SIBLING GROUPS
- CAN YOU HELP?
Something to think about……currently the department
is facing a huge problem providing crisis care for sibling
groups and as you are probably aware Christmas time is a very
stressful time for many birth families.
Perhaps you have a long term placement and might like to
consider being available to help out in emergencies? Even
being able to accommodate one extra child for a short time
would assist greatly.
These placements would be time limited and on an emergency
basis only. If you think you might like to help out please
contact your agency case worker now and talk it over.
SPECIAL NEEDS SUBSIDY FOR FOSTER
CARERS
The Office for Children, Youth and Family Support has advised
that the policy relating to the review of special needs subsidy
provided to foster carers is being altered.
Currently the Care and Protection Manual outlines the need
to review subsidy payments on a three monthly basis. The new
policy means that once a level has been agreed, this level
will be maintained for the duration of the placement. The
subsidy level will be in accordance with the rates outlined
in the Care and Protection manual. Should the subsidy level
need to be increased (based on the needs of the child), the
new rate will be sustained.
Emergency subsidy rates, which are currently paid to carers
who receive less than 24 hours notice of placement, will continue
to be paid at the higher rate for a maximum period of 21 days
following the emergency placement. As is current practice,
should the placement continue past 21 days, the subsidy level
will drop to the standard subsidy rate, unless a special needs
rate has been agreed.
Children and young people moving to Enduring Parental Responsibility
orders will be considered separately as a range of issues
relating to agency involvement, ongoing financial commitment
and supports are yet to be finalised.
This revised policy will be communicated to all Care and
Protection staff and will be formally updated when the manual
is reviewed.
Children and Young People in
Care, Enjoy a Day at the Zoo
Many children and young people in care and their carer families
enjoyed a picnic at the National Zoo and Aquarium, thanks
to a Grant from the ACT Children’s
Week Committee and sponsorship from the Foster Care Association
of the ACT and the National Zoo and Aquarium.
The picnic, an initiative of the Foster Care Association
of the ACT, was held late in the year as a part of the 2005
Children’s Week activities in the ACT.
In a truly collaborative effort, the Foster Care Association
was assisted in its preparations by staff and volunteers from
Galilee, Marymead, Barnardo's, the CREATE Foundation, the
Indigenous Foster Care Unit, and the Training and Community
Education team of the Office for Children, Youth and Family
Support.
“Staff from a number of agencies assisted on the day
in welcoming families and providing information and treats
for the children and young people,” said Foster Care
Association President, Sue Mannion.
“The feedback from families was very positive, with
many noting that it was an activity they may not have been
able to access previously due to the cost,” Sue said.
“Overall, 68 families attended, including 154 children
and young people and 119 adults, including a good number of
kinship carers and foster carers from each agency."
“All in all, the event provided both recognition to
children and young people in care and their carers, while
providing an opportunity for families to network, build informal
supports, and a fun day out for all."
It is hoped that the activity can become an annual event.
For more information about these events contact Susan Pellegrino
on 6207 1405.
For more information on foster caring please contact Sue
Mannion at the Foster Care Association of the ACT on 6288
5994.
WE ARE AVAILABLE – EVEN
OVER THE HOLIDAYS
The Association is funded by the ACT Office of Children,
Youth and Family Support to support all foster, relative and
kinship carers. Please feel free to contact us at any time.
We are available to assist carers in their caring roles, facilitate
access to and provide information about the out of home care
system, provide peer support, or just be an ear when you want
a chat. You can contact us at any time on either 62885994
or 62411665, or via email at fcaact@bigpond.com. During holiday
periods we sometimes get a little busy at times, but please
leave a message on one of the numbers and we will get back
to you as soon as we can.
CARER TRAINING UPDATE
We continue to work with The Office and Agencies to introduce
quality standard training for foster carers. Agreement has
been reached that training should be nationally accredited,
which is something the association has been endorsing from
the beginning. This means that, once carers have completed
their training they will received a statement of attainment
which will be recognised throughout Australia. With nationally
accredited training, the content and standards are set to
ensure consistency of quality regardless of who is delivering
the training.
Rick Vivian from The Office is currently researching the
appropriate accredited units that would be appropriate for
foster carers and looking at any gaps we may need to fill
to adequately train Carers to take on their role. The Planning
Group will meet again in the New Year.
UPDATE WOMEN’S CARER SUPPORT
INITIATIVE
Training under the Women's Carer Support Initiative, funded
by the ACT Chief Minister’s Department, was due to commence
this year, but unfortunately we have had some delays. The
training has been rescheduled to March 2006 and all those
who have enquired will receive letters confirming dates and
venue in late January 2006.
The project will train volunteers willing to support Foster
Carers in the ACT in basic counselling skills to establish
a volunteer team to provide ongoing support for ACT Foster
Carers. The chief aim is to set up a system that will spread
the carer support load more evenly and establish an ongoing
system for carer support into the future.
The training in basic counselling skills will be run over
3 sessions of 4 hours each.
Anyone who would like to participate but has not yet volunteered
should contact Julie on tel: 0404 043 602 or email fcaact@bigpond.com.
FOSTER CARER SUPPORT SURVEY
Dr Ross Gurney is currently conducting a follow-up survey
on the national study for support for foster carers which
was conducted in 2001. The purpose of the new survey is to
determine whether any progress has been made. We will include
a copy of the survey with the next newsletter and hope you
will participate by completing the survey and returning it
to Ross. We want to make sure that the sector sees a true
picture of support currently received by carers in Canberra
and region.
Thumbs UP!
To Dawson Ruhl and Marymead who paid for so many
of their Carers to attend the national Conference in Alice
Springs this year. We really appreciate the support in such
practical ($) terms.
To the Prings once again for raising money for
the Association with their wonderful Christmas Lights display.
To Annette Kelly-Egerton and Barnardos for requesting
the Office to include some training early in 2006 which focuses
specifically on the needs of Carers. Bev has passed several
suggestions for topics on to The Office.
JEN MACINTOSH SPEAKING ON ATTACHMENT
Dr. Jen Macintosh will be conducting a half day seminar and
11⁄2 day clinical workshop entitled “Attachment:
Embracing Current Understandings” on 27 and 28 February
2006. The aim of this training is to strengthen participant’s
knowledge and skills in the understanding, identification
and treatment of children with disrupted attachments.
Jenn is a clinical child psychologist, family therapist,
and research and training consultant. She is adjunct Senior
lecturer at both Melbourne and La Trobe Universities.
Jenn’s research and clinical practice has focused on
the needs of children in the face of family trauma. She is
well regarded for her ability to articulate the child’s
experience of family trauma and loss and is well known for
her strong advocacy on the rights of children to psychological
safety, particularly in the face of family trauma and change.
The half day seminar is designed for anyone working with
children and the longer workshop is for those working with
children in a clinical setting. Cost for half day workshop
is $55.00. The full 2 day training includes both the seminar
and the workshop and costs $220.00.
Further details and registration forms can be obtained from
Anna Huber at Marymead, where the seminars will be held.
Email: programs@marymead.org.au
Tel: (02) 6162 5800
CARERS SUPPORT GROUP
This is your personal invitation to come along and enjoy
a cuppa, some great morning tea and enjoy the company and
companionship of other carers in a relaxed, social setting.
FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH
NORTHSIDE AND SOUTHSIDE
10.00am –12.00pm
BEGINS FEBRUARY 2006
CHILDREN WELCOME & ASSISTANCE WITH TRANSPORT IF NEEDED
We meet in Carers’ homes, Northside and Southside,
on a rotating basis – bring something yummy to share
for morning tea.
Contact Raelene on 6241-1049 or Kiren on 0412 892453 for
details
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SHINE FOR
FOSTER CARE
On 3 December at 7.30pm, the Christmas lights were turned
on at David and Lorraine Pring’s house in Callabonna
Street, Kaleen. This is an annual event for the Prings who
generously use the opportunity to raise money for foster care.
Do yourself a favour and drive past – the Christmas
lights are spectacular as usual.
THANK YOU TO RAE
Kiren has asked me to include a big thank you to Rae Gerstenberg
who has been the mainstay and chief contact for the Carer’s
Support Group over the past 3 months as Kiren has been tied
up with the care of a young baby. Thank you, Rae, for your
time and opening your home up to us all each month.
FAREWELL TO ROS STEWART
It is with sadness we bid farewell to Ros Stewart, Team Leader
of Foster Care at Marymead. Ros is off to the UK for 12 months
with her family in January 2006. Sue and Bev attended Ros’
farewell recently and thanked Ros on behalf of the Association,
for all her hard work and co-operation over the many years
of our relationship.
We welcome Liz Preston who will be taking
over in Ros’ absence and wish Ros well during her time
overseas.
Foster Care Association Meetings
2006
Take the opportunity to:
- Meet other Foster Carers,
- Support and be supported by other Carers,
- Learn more about what’s happening within Foster
Care,
- Spend social time with others who REALLY understand about
Foster Care.
Come along to our monthly meetings
We have a chair reserved for you and even some supper to
go with it!
All carers welcomed
For meeting dates and venues contact
Sue on 6288-5994, Bev or David on 6241-1665
or email: fcaact@bigpond.com
New Carer Subsidy Rates
Download PDF of the ACT FOSTER CARE
SUBSIDIES As at 1 January 2006
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