Children and young people who enter out-of-home care deserve the opportunity to be safe, supported and able to thrive. But are we doing enough to make sure they receive the support they need?

Anchor Community Care CEO Heidi Tucker appeared on television news during Kinship Care Week to discuss the need for greater support for the people caring for children within Victoria’s child protection system.

While the interview focused on kinship care, the bigger issue is the outcomes we are achieving for children and young people in care.

Victoria’s child protection system is increasingly reliant on family members and close family contacts to care for children and young people who cannot safely live with their parents.

Keeping children connected to their families and communities is vitally important. But too often, the people stepping forward to care for them are being asked to meet complex developmental, trauma and mental health needs without the level of support they require.

Heidi’s concern is that we cannot expect better outcomes for children and young people while the people caring for them are struggling to access the support they need themselves.

Supporting children means supporting the people who care for them

Kinship carers play an essential role in Victoria’s out-of-home care system. Many step forward during periods of crisis and instability, taking on responsibility for a child or young person because they are the person who can provide a safe and familiar home.

But caring for a child who has experienced significant abuse, neglect or trauma can be complex.

The expectations placed on carers need to reflect the needs of the children and young people they are supporting.

Heidi argues that increasing financial support for carers is an important part of the solution. But it cannot be the whole solution.

Children and young people in care also need coordinated support across child protection, education, health and wellbeing services so they can access the opportunities and support they need to achieve better outcomes.

Believing in better outcomes for children and young people

At Anchor, we believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to build a safe, stable and positive future.

That means recognising the challenges faced by children and young people in care, while also recognising the incredible contribution of the people who step forward to support them.

If we are serious about improving outcomes for children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect, we need to make sure the people caring for them are properly supported too.

 

VAGO Report Provides Opportunity to Improve Young Lives

A recently released government report has acknowledged and detailed challenges facing the out of home care system in Victoria.

Read more here.