Discussing the current issues kinship/relative carer’s face such as insufficient training, lack of support, financial hardship, lack of access to mental health, trauma support and resources, inadequate financial assistance on top of the bureaucratic complexities and inconsistent policies across regions and organisations exacerbate the already difficult challenges that kinship/relative carer’s face leading to feeling isolated and overwhelmed. These factors are a contributing cause to “placement breakdown” and “lack of carers”.

There is a need to change the current model of care to include better support systems, family finding methods and engagement of family/ community in family led decision making in placements and relational support systems. 

The role of kinship/ relative carer’s in out-of-home care is pivotal in providing stability and support to children who have experienced trauma and displacement. Despite their critical function, there remains a significant gap in the support services available to these carers.

The recommendations in the recent paper “The Future of Foster Care In NSW” co- authored by the Association of Children’s Welfare Agency addresses, current model, service delivery and funding issues and provides some focus points to provide critical intervention to the OOHC sector.

ACF's OurSpace services and how we work to support the trauma needs of the child/young person. We work in NSW face to face, moving with the child regardless of their placement locations. We have a team of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Therapeutic Specialists who work with children to help support their culturally strong and trauma-informed needs.

ACF Sydney has also employed the first Intern position held by the organisation. The intern initiative is a formal pathway for Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islanders where there is a gap in formal education but lived experience is ever present intern’s will receive support and funding to complete the Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma (GCDT).