Consultation Information Sheets - Stakeholders
What do our stakeholders want from a new out of home care system?
What do children and young people in care want?
A normal, secure life where they are loved.
An ongoing relationship with their caseworker.
Not to have to keep telling their story to different people.
To be listened to and consulted in decisions that affect them.
More explanation and information about the basis of decisions.
Greater choice of placement and the opportunity to meet a carer prior to placement and to say goodbye and thank you if they move.
To know they can get help at the time they need it.
More support in transitioning from care.
What do foster carers want?
To make a difference in a child’s life.
Greater recognition, respect and consideration.
Acknowledgment that usually they know the child better than any other member of the care team and to have their opinion count when decisions are made about a child.
An end to three way conflicts between carers, foster care agencies and Care and Protection Services.
Opportunities to upskill to assist the foster child they care for.
Assistance in the form of expert individualised coaching and mentoring to help them deal with a child’s distress and acting out behaviours.
More flexible use of discretionary funding for example some carers would prefer in-home help rather than respite.
Opportunity to meet with Care and Protection Services and agency workers outside normal business hours given many carers are also in paid employment.
Easier, quicker opportunities to secure permanency of the relationship where that is appropriate.
Better information about children they are asked to take, including health information.
To not have to be perfect parents and to know that they can ask for and receive help when they need it.
To be reimbursed for costs incurred in looking after a child.
To be treated fairly and equitably.
What do kinship carers want?
Better information about the challenges of being a kinship carer and Care and Protection Services’ expectations of kinship carers so they could make an informed decision about whether to take on this responsibility.
Better information about the child and the likely impact of caring for the particular child upon their own family.
Acknowledgment that usually they understand the complex family situation and know the child better than any other member of the care team and to have their opinion count when decisions are made about a child.
To not have to be perfect parents and to know that they can ask for and receive help when they need it.
Opportunities to upskill to assist the child they care for.
Assistance in the form of expert individualised coaching and mentoring to help them deal with a child’s distress and acting out behaviours.
To be reimbursed for costs incurred in looking after the child.
Better and more timely information about entitlements.
Acknowledgment of the many extra demands upon their time and flexible financial and other practical assistance, for example some carers would prefer in-home help rather than respite.
Opportunity to meet with Care and Protection Services and agency workers outside normal business hours given many carers are also in paid employment.
Easier, quicker opportunities to secure permanency.
What do our nongovernment providers want?
A bigger role in out of home care.
Greater autonomy in their work.
Opportunities to innovate.
More timely permanency outcomes for children and carers.
A common information system linking government and nongovernment providers.
Trauma informed practice.
An end to three way conflicts between carers, agencies and Care and Protection Services.
Better outcomes for children and young people.
What do birth parents want?
To meet carers and be reassured that their child is safe and being well cared for.
Simple, clear messages about what birth parents need to do to get their child back.
An ongoing relationship with a caring caseworker.
Not to have to keep telling their story to different people.
To be listened to and consulted in decisions that affect them.
Consistency between workers in decision making.
More supports for families.
Recognition for doing the right thing - to have their efforts to change acknowledged and rewarded and their achievements celebrated.
Flexible, individually tailored care arrangements that may involve shared care – not all or nothing.
What do Care and Protection Services staff want?
Interesting, meaningful work where they feel they are making a difference for children and young people.
Recognition for the important, challenging work they undertake.
An end to three way conflicts between carers, agencies and Care and Protection Services.
Better coordination of available resources including greater support from other ACT Directorates.
A common information system linking government and nongovernment providers.
Opportunities to develop their skills, undertake a range of roles and achieve promotion.
Trauma informed practice.
Opportunities to innovate.
Better outcomes for children and young people.
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