Newsletter Issue 2 — february 2004

Newsletter Archive

Dear fellow carers,

Welcome to the first edition of the Association newsletter for 2004. Since the announcement last week of the review of Family Services other events have taken over from our intended format.

In this issue you will find a table showing the current payments effective from 1 January 2004. These payments include the 2.5% CPI increase the Association negotiated with the Department. This is only the second time in at least 12 years that carers have received a CPI payment and the first time you have received the CPI in full. If you are not currently receiving the additional payment your agency will be commence payment shortly and will backdate it to January 1. We have been promised a further substantial increase in carer subsidies in the next budget. This is of course long overdue and we have been strongly lobbying for this increase for the last 18 months. It is over 10 years since carer subsidies have been revised.
Also in this edition you will find information about the review. The Association will be meeting with Cheryl Vardon, the Commissioner for Public Administration for the ACT Public Service this week and expects to be invited to give evidence to the Inquiry. We have a meeting with the Minister scheduled for 4 February. We are always happy to hear your suggestions for issues you would like raised. If you have any please email them to fcaact@bigpond.com.au or phone 6288-5994.
Currently we are lobbying for a better grievance process for carers; a process for the investigation of allegations that is fair and just; better support; and training. The ACT system is currently under a lot of pressure. It is chronically short of carers; unable to provide reasonable respite to many carers; and agencies are not able to properly match children to a carer family due to the lack of carers. This is a recipe for disaster for both carer families and the children they care for. Furthermore we are concerned that the shortage of child protection workers means that children who are restored to their birth family are not properly monitored or supported once returned, thereby leading to further notifications and re-entry into care.
Plans for the 2004 National Foster Care Conference are well advanced and we are very pleased with the quantity and quality of applications received in response to the call for papers. You should plan now to attend. Each agency is planning to subsidise some of it’s carers to attend. Register your interest now with your caseworker to ensure you don’t miss out. Put the date in your diary RYDGES HOTEL 29th – 31st October. A children’s program will also be available. We are expecting over 400 attendees from all over Australia.

Finally, please do not be discouraged by the headlines. The current reviews may turn out to be an opportunity to cast light onto the serious issues and difficulties we all face and to get some much needed assistance.

Regards
Sue Mannion
President.

The following letters have been received by the Association, from Fran Hinton, Chief Executive, ACT Department of Education, Youth and Family Services, and are reproduced for your information:

Dear Sue,

Four-point plan for child protection

The Minister has announced a four-point plan to address concerns about protection of children and young people. The plan involves:

1) A team of senior child protection workers immediately assessing the safety of all children in care.

2) An immediate injection of $1.8 million into areas of need within the child protection system.

3) A review of the child protection system by the Commissioner for Public Administration to improve it’s management and to ensure statutory obligations are met.

4) A departmental restructure to separate statutory child protection from early intervention and family support.

The plan reflects a number of concerns. Family Services has failed to provide details of reports of concern about children in care to the Community Advocate as required by legislation and responses to allegations of abuse of children in care have not always been complete. In addition there have been growing pressures on the system associated with significant increases in the number of reports of concern about children.

The ACT Foster Care Association plays an important part in ensuring the safety and security of children in foster care, and as such you are aware that reports of children and young persons in need of care and protection, abused or neglected whilst in the care and/or supervision of the Chief Executive are serious matters that need to be identified promptly and managed appropriately by Family Services.

Family Services believes that the vast majority of foster carers do a very good job under difficult circumstances, and acknowledges that the ACT Foster Care Association is integral in the management of foster care in the ACT. In light of this, we would like to work closely with you to look at ways in which we can enhance support to the ACT Foster Care Association and it’s individual carers, as well as other agencies.

I have attached documents that will give further details and we will contact you shortly to arrange a time to meet with you to discuss how we can work together to improve processes and procedures. I would be grateful for your assistance in allaying any concerns that carers or agency staff may have about the process.

Yours sincerely,
Fran Hinton
Chief Executive
16/1/04

Dear Sue,

Further to my letter of 16 January 2004 regarding the Governments Four Point Plan for Child Protection, I am writing to confirm the commitment of the department of Education, Youth and Family Services to strong and on-going support for foster carers throughout and following the current reviews.

I reiterate that we believe that the vast majority of foster carers do a very good job under difficult circumstances and your association plays a vital role in the management of foster care in the ACT. We are committed to working closely with you to enhance our system.

I appreciate that this is an unsettling time for foster carers, and I would be grateful if you would share this message of support with foster carers at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,
Fran Hinton
Chief Executive
23/1/04

Questions and Answers for Family Services Agencies

1. What is the problem?

Family Services has failed to adequately report allegations of reports of concern about children in care to the Community Advocate as required by legislation and responses to allegations of abuse of children in care have not always been complete.

Combined with the significant increases in the number of reports of concern about children in that have occurred in the last twelve months and increasing numbers of substantiated cases of child abuse in Canberra, there is a clear need for action.

2. What is Government doing about it? (4 point plan)

To address issues of rising concerns about child protection in the ACT, Government has approved a 4 point plan.

The plan involves:

1. a team of senior child protection workers immediately assessing the safety of all children in care;
2. Immediate injection of $1.8m into immediate areas of need within the child protection system;
3. A review of the child protection system by the Commissioner for Public Administration to improve it’s management and to ensure statutory obligations are met; and
4. A departmental restructure to separate statutory child protection from early intervention and family support.

3. How will the $1.8 million be spent?

The funds will address areas of immediate need (for example addressing areas of statutory compliance and additional staff in the child protection area).

4. Are children safe in care?

An initial review has been undertaken of 23 children in care for whom there were reports of concern recorded on the CHYPS database over the last 18 months. 20 of these children are considered safe and we are continuing to address the needs of 3 complex young people, who are not currently in foster care.

We need to remember that the vast majority of children in care are safe and that overall foster carers do a very good job, often in difficult circumstances.

Any concerns about child safety in care should be reported to Family Services through the normal channels (to Northern or Southern Regional Office). Clients who already have a caseworker should raise any concerns they have directly with the caseworker.

5. What sorts of processes do you expect to change?

There are no planned changes to current procedures. Placements will continue to be regularly reviewed as normal.

6. Will the reviews affect jobs?

Recruitment to additional front line child protection processes is already underway and additional funds from Government will extend this recruitment activity into support areas. There will be no job losses. It is likely that some changes in work processes will impact most staff and staff will be consulted before these changes are made.

7. Is this a change in focus?

The safety and security of children, particularly children in care, remains the absolute priority of the Department. In addition however, the department will invest additional resources in early intervention programs to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect in the longer term.

8. How will all children in care be supported during this process?

The majority of children in foster care are in stable, supportive environments and these placements are regularly monitored by the foster care agencies and Family Services. If agencies or Family Services have concerns about a placement, additional support will be provided.

9. How will the needs of Indigenous children and families be addressed in this process?

The Practice Evaluation and Improvement Team will include staff from the Family Services Indigenous Unit and will pay particular attention to addressing the needs of indigenous children.

10. Confidentiality of children and families

The Practice Evaluation and Improvement Team comprises specialist Family Services staff with full security clearance. The team will access existing files and records on a need to know basis and a report prepared for the Chief Executive. The privacy of the children and families concerned are protected in accordance with usual Family Services protocols.

11. How will foster families be supported through this process?

Foster families will continue to be supported by the foster care agencies and Family Services throughout and following this Review.

Media Release

Four point plan for child protection

The Minister for Family Youth and Community Services, Ms Katy Gallagher, MLA, today announced the immediate implementation of a four point plan to address issues of rising concern about child protection in the ACT.

The Minister expressed concern that the department has failed to report details of reports of concern about children in care to the Community Advocate as required by legislation and that responses to allegations abuse of children in care have not always been complete.

“Combined with the significant increases in the number of reports of concern about children that have occurred in the last twelve months and increasing numbers of substantiated cases of child abuse in Canberra, there is a clear need for urgent action,” Ms Gallagher said.

“While the refocus strategy for continuous improvement in child protection will continue, it is clear that we need a faster, better resourced response and more attention to early intervention and prevention.”

The four point plan involves:

1. A team of senior child protection workers immediately assessing the safety of all children in care.
2. An immediate injection of $1.8 million into areas of need within the child protection system.
3. A review of the child protection system by the Commissioner for Public Administration to improve it’s management and to ensure statutory obligations are met.
4. A departmental restructure to separate statutory child protection from early intervention and family support.

“The Stanhope Government has recognised that significant additional resources are needed to handle the increases in levels of reporting as well as having the capacity to provide more support to families.”

“I have met with the Chief Minister who as Acting Treasurer has approved an immediate injection of $1.8 million through Treasurers Advance to address the increase in demand for child protection services.”

“This $1.8 million will be spent on immediate priorities and the Government will consider any additional funding for child protection services following the outcome of the Commissioner’s review.”

“Whilst the immediate priority is to ensure the safety of all children and young people in care, we also need to ensure that there is a clear plan for the improvement of the child protection system and it’s capacity to respond to increasing demands.”
Senior staff are examining all allegations of abuse as a matter of urgency.

“In accordance with the Public Sector Management Act, I have written to the Commissioner for Public Administration asking that she authorise a management review to identify system deficiencies and make recommendations to improve the management of child protection systems in the ACT.”

“The review will also look closely at reporting processes in the department to ensure statutory obligations are met.”

“This work needs to be done quickly and carefully. I have requested that the Commissioner provide me with a report by the16th of April 2004.”

CARERS MORNING TEA SUPPORT GROUP

Our recently formed monthly support group for carers has become an unqualified success.

Around 20 carer families are thoroughly enjoying the company and companionship of other carers in a relaxed, social setting.

Why not come and join us?

When: First Friday of each month

Where: Carer homes, Northside and Southside, on a rotating basis

Time: usually around 10am -12-30pm (Can sometimes be longer if we invite a guest speaker)

What to bring: Something yummy to share

CHILDREN ARE WELCOME

Contact Kiren on 0412 892453 or Raelene on 6241-1049 for details

Foster Care Association Meetings

Would you like to:

Meet other Foster Carers?

Support and be supported by other Foster Carers?

Learn more about what’s happening within Foster Care?

Spend social time with others who REALLY understand about Foster Care?

Then come along to our monthly meetings.

All carers welcomed.

For meeting dates and venues contact

Sue on 6288-5994, Bev on 6241-1665 or email: fcaact@bigpond.com

WORKING BEE COLLECTIVE (BACKYARD BLITZ STYLE)

Several carers have expressed a desire to update/upgrade their yards to make them more functional for the children they care for, but lack the manpower to accomplish the job effectively.

Would you like to join a volunteer collective of friends helping each other achieve these goals?

Do you also have a job or project you would like to see done?

Expressions of interest in this group can be made by contacting Cassie on 6288-0931 or cherard@bigpond.com.au

Thought for the month

Real friendship is a fragile and precious thing. Real friends, share their sorrows and joys but never go out of their way to hurt each other. Before you do or say something that may damage a friendship, think about the real worth of that friendship to you. A true friendship can take years to build, but it can also be destroyed in seconds by a carelessness or thoughtlessness.

The following is a copy of a letter to the Editor, of the Canberra Times it was published on Sunday, 25th January 2004:

GETTING REAL ABOUT CHILD ABUSE

On behalf of the foster carers of the ACT I have to express our feelings of dismay and discouragement at the way the recent events concerning Family Services have been reported. As reported by the CEO of the Department of Education Youth and Family Services, over 3000 reports of concern are made to the Department annually. This is concern expressed by members of the community, teachers, doctors, neighbours and others that children are not being treated appropriately IN THE COMMUNITY, that is whilst they are still being cared for in their birth families or in other arrangements in the community – not in foster care. According to the CEO, Fran Hinton, of these 3000 notifications of concern, 310 were found to be proven. The substitute care system is staggering under the burden. The problem of child abuse needs to be attacked at its source, children need to be protected and families supported to properly undertake their responsibilities as parents.
From the small amount of details known, it would appear that some concerns were lodged regarding children and young people who were already under the care of the department. These children may be living in supported accommodation i.e. in flats by themselves, in refuges of various kinds, or in foster care. The exact details have not been released. Children who disclosed information about abuse they suffered before coming into foster care would also be included in the 20 odd cases currently under review. It is very common for children who become safe to then speak of what had happened to them previously, sometimes years after the event. What it does not mean is that this abuse was caused at the hands of a foster parent.

Our understanding is that the 20 odd cases which were not notified to the Office of the Community Advocate were investigated but there were systemic breakdowns in communication which meant the details were not passed on to the OCA. We do not know how many of the concerns were found proven or otherwise or the circumstances of the notifications. It begs the question however, that if the OCA were aware of the non transfer of some details for the last 3 years what did they do about it?

It is extremely distressing for all of us concerned with the care and protection of children to see the way in which these matters have been reported. Foster Parents are volunteers, not paid employees, who make a huge commitment to the welfare of children and who spend thousands of hours of unpaid work annually to assist children. Child protection workers are faced daily with the horrible reality of what some people, including parents, do to children and it is pretty much a thankless task but vital service they provide. Both child protection workers and foster carers step forward on behalf of all the community to do our best for kids and to say we do it under difficult circumstances is a huge understatement.

There has been a chronic undersupply for many years of both child protection workers and foster parents. Ill advised reporting of the current events, which impacts on the ability to recruit and retain both child protection workers and foster carers, will have dire consequences and impact on the ability of the system to provide for these most vulnerable members of our community.

Everyone in our community should be outraged about child abuse. It has no place in our society but those of us who are in there actively doing something about it are tired, overburdened and under supported. Substitute care provides a second chance for families to get it right and, if that is not possible, for children to move on with their lives and perhaps escape the traps that befell their parents.

We need help, not headlines or meaningless political tub thumping, and we need it now.

Sue Mannion
President
Foster Care Association of the ACT

"The Association will keep you informed on the latest developments as they come to hand. We expect to produce another Newsletter in the near future."

Conference Update

Organisation of the 2004 National Conference to be held in Canberra from 29-31 October 2004 is moving along well. The venue will be Rydges Lakeside and the Department of Education, Youth and Family Services have come on board as our major sponsor for up to $50,000. This will allow us to give you the professional conference and training you deserve. The atmosphere will be friendly and relaxed, and foster carers will have the chance to meet other foster carers, talk about their experiences and exchange ideas. This is always one of the most valuable aspects of the foster care national conferences.
The conference theme is Walking Together: People, Policy and Practice and all people involved in foster care will be invited to come. The focus is on establishing more effective and positive partnerships through increased knowledge and a better understanding of each other’s circumstances and barriers.

The program is based on issues and needs identified by delegates to the 2003 Brisbane conference in a survey put out by the 2004 organising committee. An interesting result from the survey was that agency and government workers identified many of the same issues faced by foster carers as barriers to doing their job. This means that while the program is focused on the needs of foster carers, it also contains an excellent professional development strand for workers to improve their skills and knowledge. This will ultimately benefit the foster carers and children in care.

Over Fifty expressions of interest have been received from the call for papers sent out last year and another thirteen people have been listed as relevant quality speaker and presenter possibilities. The sector has responded very enthusiastically, giving us an excellent program choice with good scope and content.

The program is currently being finalised and registration brochures will be available late February/ early March. Early bird registration for foster carers will be $165.00 and $200.00 for non-carers. I am currently exploring the cost of a good quality children’s program. More in the next newsletter ….

Julie Samuels-Green
Conference Organiser

HELP ORGANISE THE CONFERENCE

Anyone interested in joining a conference organising team to assist Julie should come along to a short meeting to be held at Julie’s house, 132 William Webb Drive, EVATT on Wednesday 11 February @ 7.30pm. Those wanting more information are most welcome and are under no obligation to volunteer. All contributions, large or small, in any area are welcome from packing conference satchels to helping on the day, to knitting a scarf for the silent auction. Thanks to those who have already put up their hands.

RSVP to Julie on email samuelsgreen@ozemail.com.au or tel 0404 043 602.

Carers Recycle Mart

HAVE SOMETHING YOU NO LONGER USE THAT COULD BE USEFUL TO ANOTHER CARER?
SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING YOU NEED?

WHY NOT ADVERTISE IT HERE?

IT’S FREE!!!!!

PLEASE SEND ALL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THIS PAGE TO OUR EMAIL OR POSTAL ADDRESS

Creativity Corner

A new addition to our newsletter this month is Creativity Corner.

All contributions can be sent to our email or snail mail address.

As so many of our carers are extremely talented, we feel that these endeavours should be encouraged and applauded so creativity corner is for you.

Enjoy the contributions.

We hope they make you smile.

Bugs and Roses

(The awards section of our newsletter)

This month’s bug award goes to the system inequity that sees only some carers receiving travel allowance whilst others don’t qualify.

Our roses go to the case workers who genuinely listen to and really respond appropriately to the needs of carers and their families. You know who you are.

Thank you from all of us.

TOP