Caring Conversations is a learning approach developed out of discussions between leaders of Uniting’s Northern Kinship Care Program and Adela Holmes, Practice Leader Therapeutic Out of Home Care.  This implicitly complex trauma informed group method resonates strongly with the Kinship program’s approach to practice and the importance of targeted learning approaches to meet the unique needs of kinship carers. Caring Conversations reflects the essential relational elements of Uniting's recently launched in-house developed Therapeutic Model of Care.

The approach privileges the importance of respectful relational work for supporting the needs of kinship carers and it was in this context that discussions occurred regarding the development of this learning approach. It was agreed that knowledge transmission needed to be shaped differently to usual more didactic training approaches offered to foster and kinship carers together. The importance of carer input into the design approach was considered to be a critical part of the development of Caring Conversations and a reference group of carers was formed. The pilot Caring Conversations, held over five sessions in 2023 was shaped and led by its participants and focused on understanding the key elements that underpin the experience of kinship caring and its challenges. This presentation outlines the methodology of the program's design, the participants' experience of its small group conversational style, the topics covered and the positive impact it had on their functioning as carers navigating complex child protection and children's court systems and managing their way through complex familial/relational challenges. The pilot Caring Conversations group was so successful that further groups were organised for 2024 as well as groups across Uniting's other regions. It is anticipated that Caring Conversations will become the primary means of supporting knowledge and skill building for Kinship Carers across all Uniting's Kinship programs.