Join FCAV online at www.fcav.org.auor call (03) 9416 4292

@vicfostercarefacebook.com/fostercarevictoria

June 2014 Newsletter - NAIDOC Week 6 to 13 July 2014

NAIDOC for Aboriginal Children in Out of Home Care

FCAV members - prizes to be won!See page 3 for details and be quick!competition@fcav.org.au with your details or call the FCAV office on: 9416 4292.

Be quick!

NAIDOC Week is celebrated annually across the nation during the second week in July. It is a time for the whole nation, not just Aboriginal people, to celebrate our history, our connection to land, our communities and our survival.

Strong cultural ties and connection to community are inseparable and critical to building strong healthy Koori children. They are the building blocks from which we build resilience in our children and should be available, promoted and provided to all from birth.

Strong cultural ties and connection to community is even more important for Koori children and young people who are in foster care and who may be disconnected and disengaged from their families and the broader Koori community. For Koori children in Out-of-Home Care, connecting to culture and community is not just about attending NAIDOC activities once a year.

Celebrating culture and connection to community is not just about waving the flag or looking at a static display in a museum. It is about socialising and getting together with other Koori children and community members on a regular basis where relationships can be formed and nurtured into adulthood.

Like us on:

Along with foster carers, all Koori and non-Koori agencies and organisations (particularly the Department of Human Services) with policies and programs that impact on Koori children in Out-of-Home Care, have a responsibility to ensure that their services support the child’s connection to their culture and their community. Happy NAIDOC.

Andrew Jackomos, Victoria’s Commissioner

for Aboriginal Children and Young People

From Commissioner Andrew Jackomos, Victoria’s Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People

F o s t e r C a r e A s s o c i a t i o n o f V i c t o r i a , I n c .

Board of Directors Nomination Form

Nominated member’s name:

Nominated member’s signature:

Nominating member’s name:

Nominating member’s signature:

Becoming a Board Director

At our AGM in September, FCAV full members will elect three (3) Directors that will serve for a period

of three years. These elected people will not only have a passion & commitment to improving the

outcomes for children in care, but also be interested in making a difference through involvement at an

organisational & State level. The Board meet on a monthly basis, and for regional Directors, travel

costs and overnight accommodation are reimbursed, where necessary.

Once the Board of Directors are elected, the Board appoints the President, Vice President, Secretary

and Treasurer. That is, members only elect the Board, and the Board is then responsible for

determining who they think will best fill the executive roles.

To be considered for the role of Board Director, complete this form, accompanied by a short

biographical statement of not more than 200 words (for examples see FCAV website for current

Director’s biographies). Nominations must be received in writing at the FCAV office either by email at

admin@fcav.org.au or mailed or delivered to FCAV, Level One, 398 Smith Street, Collingwood 3066

not later than 5pm on Wednesday 13th August, 2014. Please note if emailing a clear signature

must be scanned and included. We request you provide to FCAV a ‘head and shoulders’ colour photo,

on a neutral background if you would like FCAV to use one in our candidate bios and other election

materials. Please photocopy as needed.

A copy of the FCAV Association Rules, policies and reports can be viewed by going to our website at

www.fcav.org.au and clicking on ‘About Us’.

If you would like more information on the prospective role as an FCAV Board Director, call

Nicole Misurelli, FCAV President, on 0407 652 632, or Katie Hooper, FCAV CEO, on (03) 9416 4292

4292.

Elected Directors ceasing to be elected Directors are:

Catherine Young

Karen Doby (retired)

Josh Fergeus (retired)

Nomination for a Board of Director’s position must be received at the FCAV office

located at Level One, 398 Smith Street Collingwood, 3066 not later than

5:00 pm on Wednesday 13th August 2014.

2 fcavnewsletterjune2014 www.fcav.org.au

The recent state and federal budgets will add significant pressure to foster carers already doing it tough.

It was disappointing to see that the 2014-15 Victorian Budget failed to address any of the core financial issues crippling the foster care system.

Despite promising a ‘big spending’ budget, the government chose to leave foster care reimbursement at the current, unacceptably low level, while overlooking the inability of the system to meet essential costs for children and young people in care. The Foster Care Association was disappointed with spending priorities, but remains committed to working for reforms which will improve the sustainability of the carer pool and slow the carer exodus.

Foster carers will feel the impact of the 2014-15 Federal Budget more acutely, with dramatic changes made to the Family Tax Benefits. As well as freezing the rate of benefits paid, families will lose access to the payment when their youngest child turns six. Additionally, families will lose eligibility if the primary income earner brings in more than $100,000, instead of the existing $150,000 cap.

The FCAV has begun lobbying federal MPs for a removal of the income test for access to benefits for young people in care. We will update you on progress, but signs are encouraging so far.

From the CEO In brief...

Katie HooperChief Executive Officer, FCAV

Inside this edition:In brief page 2

Carer competitions page 3

CISS carer story page 4

Wangaratta visit page 5

Taskforce 1000 project page 6

NAIDOC week events page 7

Notice of FCAV AGM Look to the future with a robust discussion about the direction of foster care. Be there to have your voice heard. Lunchtime, Friday 12 September, 2014 at the L’Oreal Building on St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Please find the Call for Nominations inserted in this newsletter. Further details on the event to come.

CISS Hotline: (03) 9416 4292

Are you a carer? Do you have questions about your role? Are you having issues you need to discuss with someone? Call the Carer Information Support Service (CISS).

Hold the Date!

Welcome StaceyFCAV is very pleased to welcome Stacey Muu, our current Social Work student, who is completing her 4th year placement with us. Stacey is studying at Victoria University and plans to work in the child and family services sector after she graduates. She is undertaking a range of duties in this placement and is presently hard at work developing a new Information Sheet on caring for children and young people from diverse communities.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (NATSICD) launch 2014The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) has announced that the launch of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (NATSICD) in 2014 will be held at the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory on 4 August 2014 (www.yyf.com.au).The NATSICD national launch will include a children’s activity event and panel discussion around the 2014 theme, Kids in Culture: Strong, Proud, Resilient.Garma is the biggest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural event in Australia. Garma 2014 is being held from 1 to 4 August and is open for everyone to attend. For more information on the festival, see the Yothu Yindi Foundation website www.yyf.com.au.

Early Childhood Agreement for Children in Out-of-Home CareThe Victorian Government recently announced a new agreement between Department of Human Services, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Early Learning Association of Australia. The Early Childhood Agreement for Children in Out-of-Home Care aims to ensure that all children aged 0-4 years in Out-of-Home care access universal services, such as kindergarten and Maternal and Child Health Services, in order to get the best start in life. For more information, go to: www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/edcare/Pages/outofhomecare.aspx

fcav newsletter june 2014 3www.fcav.org.au

Competitions and Invitations Enter to win!

Winter warm up prizes for carers...

FCAV Carer Members... Your family may need warming up in the cooler months. We have been gifted this handmade crochet blanket to give away. We also have two great

knitting packages from Crumbz Craft shop for some crafty carers to win. To be in the running for either of these prizes, please ‘like’ the FCAV facebook page and email us by 5pm Thursday 26 June, with the subject header “Winter Warmers”. In the body of the email confirm you have joined or are on the FCAV page on Facebook. Please include your name, address and current contact phone numbers and email: competition@fcav.org.au or call the FCAV office on: 9416 4292.

Carer members

win!

Debutante Ball for Young People in CareThe 2014 Out of Home care Debutante Ball for young people is coming on August 6, 2014! If you are a young person aged 16 – 25, who lives, or has lived, in foster care, residential care or kinship care, here is your opportunity to be part of an amazing night! Dance lessons will run over 10 weeks. To find out more or to receive an application form please email: lara.gerrand@create.org.au or phone: 9918 0002.

Nominations are now open for the 13th annual Robin Clark Memorial Awards and will close on Friday 13 June, 2014.

The awards are held during Child Protection Week (7-13 September) to celebrate the varied work taking place across government, the child, youth and family service sector, academia and the broader community to ensure the safety

and wellbeing of children and young people.

Nominees can be sector or departmental colleagues in direct service work, such as a child protection practitioner or residential carer, or a person involved with policy, program, academic or research work.

VACCA Life Book FCAV Carer Members... FCAV has a very special Life Book by The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) to give away. The book is for a

child in your care to record photos, events and certificates in a beautifully presented way. Visit the VACCA website www.vacca.org/shop.

To enter the competition, please email by 5pm Thursday 26 June, with the subject header “Life Book” and answer the question, “When is NAIDOC Week this year?” Please include your name, address and all your current contact phone numbers to: competition@fcav.org.au or call the FCAV office on: 9416 4292.

Carer members

win!

Robin Clark Memorial Awards 2014

Care With ME is hosting a series of Cultural Workshops on Wednesday 18 June, 2014. For more information please go to the following link: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/care-with-me-cultural-workshops-tickets-11568625069?aff=eac2 Or contact CWME on admin@cwme.org.au or call 1300 829 335 or 0452 529 805.

Care with Me workshops and events

4 fcavnewsletterjune2014 www.fcav.org.au

Carer Information and Support Service (CISS)

A glimpse inside CISS Advocacy: Carer StoryA call was taken from a foster carer who was distressed after two foster children were removed from their care by DHS. The carers felt they had not been given clear information regarding the reason for the removal. FCAV contacted the relevant agency to seek clarity around the situation and could then share with the carers that there had been an allegation made by one of the children and a Quality of Care investigation was underway. FCAV were able to send a copy of Quality of Care concerns in out-of-home care, a guide for carers, and attend Quality of Care interviews with the carer. When Quality of Care concerns first arise, you can expect:• to be advised of the allegation and provided information regarding the process to be undertaken• that the quality of care concern will be assessed via an initial screening process to determine what action is to be

taken• to be advised of the outcome of the initial screening process • that due to the protocol between the Department of Human Services and Victoria Police, the police will have been

notified if the Quality of Care concern alleges physical or sexual abuse or serious neglect. This will have occurred prior to you being contacted about the concern

• that the Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Service (ACSASS) and the Aboriginal community-controlled organisation will be consulted if the child or young person in placement is of Aboriginal descent

• that the outcome of all initial screenings of Quality of Care concerns will be documented and filed on both the child or young person’s file and on your CSO file

• that any Quality of Care concern will be investigated despite how minor the concern may appear to youIf you require information or support from CISS please call 9416 4292.

New FCAV Information SheetsThe Carer Information and Support Service has recently developed three new information sheets for carers: Social Media, Police Checks, Best Practice in Foster Carer Support and Management and an updated Passports sheet.All children and young people in care should enjoy the same activities and relationships as those enjoyed by their friends and peers. It is important to promote a child or young person’s connections to their community whilst also ensuring their wellbeing and safety. The Police Checks information sheet addresses some of the queries posed by carers regarding situations where police checks may, or may not, be required for other adults in contact with their foster child or young person.The inclusion of children and young people in care in social and print media can, at times, challenge carers regarding confidentiality and legal requirements. FCAV believes all children and young people should be able to participate in social and print media activities as their friends do when celebrating achievements and activities, as a member of their carer family or as a participant in school, sporting and recreational activities. The Social Media information sheet provides carers with advice on managing these

issues without breaching confidentiality and ensuring children and young people in care are treated respectfully.The Best Practice in Foster Carer Support and Management information sheet has been developed as a brief guide for carers and their agencies to identify opportunities for Carer Support and Management during the different stages of this relationship. A number of resources have been linked that some carers and agencies have found helpful and may be adopted or modified for use by CSOs. These information sheets can all be located on our website at www.fcav.org.au/carer-resources/information-sheets. We can also send these to you via email or post you a hard copy if required. Just call FCAV on 9416 4292.

View this and other information sheets on the FCAV website at:

www.fcav.org.au

fcav newsletter june 2014 5www.fcav.org.au

CISS Quarterly ReportEach year, the Carer Information and Support Service (CISS) prepares Quarterly Reports which analyse CISS inquiries, assess the issues raised and make recommendations to address those issues.

The latest Quarterly Report covering inquiries made between January and March 2014 has now been completed and distributed to agencies and DHS stakeholders. It is also available on the FCAV website.

Having received over 150 inquiries during this quarter, the Carer Information and Support Service continues to identify an overall theme that issues arise when carers believe their rights to respectful practice and inclusion as key members of care teams are not effectively acknowledged.

The specific factors that diminish carers’ perspectives of effective support remain: irregular, or no, occurrences of Care Team Meetings and poor communication between

Care Team members; responsibilities of Care Team members not being clearly defined at the outset of placements; provision of inaccurate advice and poor practice due to a lack of understanding of practice standards, policies and procedures; a lack of suitable support to carers and conflicting or incorrect understanding of carers’ roles and responsibilities.

We are very pleased that a number of foster care agencies are now requesting specific data in relation to issues raised by their carers with the FCAV CISS program, as a means to address service improvements. FCAV will continue specific work identified in the new Quarterly Report’s recommendations so that carers’ needs and rights are respected by their workers.

To read the report in full, go to www.fcav.org.au and check out Latest News.

In late May, CISS Coordinator, Leigh Hillman, met the federal Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan AO, to discuss the difficulties foster carers face in accessing Commonwealth payments, including family tax benefits and the child care benefit.

The mini delegation to this meeting included Julie Wilkins, Team Leader at Upper Murray Family Care, and foster carers, Heather Crowhurst, Linda D’Ornay and Colleen Carmody who are also FCAV members.

We raised the challenges carers report in navigating Centrelink processes, which are unacceptably slow, inconsistent and complicated; and a proposal that Centrelink create a specific carer advisory position with knowledge of foster care within each State and Territory.

Cathy was very supportive of our concerns and has suggested some thoughtful strategies for consideration. The change won’t come overnight and there is much work to be done but we appear to now have a constructive supporter who can help us map our pathway through the national policy.

If you have insights or stories into these issues that you would like to share, please contact FCAV by phone, email or our Facebook page. It’s important that we let our politicians know the human cost of unreasonable policies.

Many thanks to Julie Wilkins and the team at Upper Murray Family Care who arranged an additional meeting for Leigh to meet with a number of their carers during a terrific morning tea before the meeting with the Member for Indi.

FCAV visit to Wangaratta

From left: Heather Crowhurst (foster carer and FCAV member), Julie Wilkins (Team Leader at Upper Murray Family Care), Colleen Carmody (foster carer and FCAV member), Leigh Hillman (CISS Coordinator, FCAV), The Hon. Cathy

McGowan AO, Federal Member for Indi), and Linda D’Ornay (foster carer and FCAV member).

6 fcavnewsletterjune2014 www.fcav.org.au

Permanent Care and AdoptiveFamilies

www.pcafamilies.org.au

DHS Stability and Permanent Planning Project

Legal Answers for Permanent Care Families

FCAV was very pleased to attend a recent forum, hosted by PCA Families, that launched a suite of new Legal Fact Sheets for Permanent Carers. These Fact Sheets were developed by Peninsula Community Legal Centre in partnership with PCA Families.

The Legal Fact Sheets are :

• Now That I Have A Permanent Care Order (PCO), What Do I Need To Know?

• Rights of the Child in Permanent Care• Contact Arrangements• Now That A PCO Is In Place, Do I Have To Go

Back To Court?• Will and Succession Rights of Carers and

Children in Permanent Care• Other Legal IssuesThe forum also offered carers an opportunity to pose their questions to a guest panel for discussion. Panel members included Dan Barron, Permanent Carer and PCA Families Board Member; Beth Allen, Assistant Director, Child Protection; Robyn Hamilton, Children’s Law Specialist, Victoria Legal Aid; and His Honour, Magistrate Francis Zemljak, Children’s Court of Victoria.

PCA Families is hoping to hold further forums in the future. The Legal Fact Sheets are available online at www.pcafamilies.org.au in the resources section.

Carers can contact PCA Families on: (03) 9020 1833 or email info@pcafamilies.org.au.

FCAV has been updating carers on the progress of the Stability Planning and Permanent Care Project since the Project began in early 2013. This Project, requested by the Minister for Community Services, resulted from recommendations by the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry report, that barriers to achieving timely and appropriate permanent placements should be identified and addressed.

The project is now in its final stages with a report identifying changes to practice, policy and legislation to be produced by mid-2014. FCAV has participated in further consultations regarding these proposals which are currently subject to Cabinet in Confidence status. However, we can say that these proposals appear to be a very positive step forward for children and young people in care, and for their carers.

FCAV will ensure carers are kept up-to-date when the project recommendations are publicly available.

The Department of Human Services has commenced a new project, Taskforce 1000, which will review the circumstances of all Aboriginal children and young people currently in Out-of-Home care.

The project will initially commence in Inner Gippsland, Mallee, Southern and Western Melbourne then expand to other Victorian areas.

The review will identify practice, policy and system issues that impact on children’s care, cultural connectedness, education and/or employment, health and wellbeing and case plan direction.

The reviews are intended to have an immediate benefit for children as issues are identified, to work towards delivering the best results from existing resources and services.

Taskforce 1000 Project

fcav newsletter june 2014 7www.fcav.org.au

Carer Development Opportunities

ACT Group Seminars Training Ticket OffersMad, Bad or Sad?Speaker: Nick GraingerDate: Wednesday 16 July, 2014

The Magical Art of the Desperate ChildSpeaker: Gregory NicolauDate: Wednesday 30 July, 2014

Dangerous LiaisonsSpeaker: Gregory NicolauDate: Friday 15 August, 2014

Cyber WarsSpeaker: Nick GraingerDate: Wednesday 27 August, 2014 More information at www.fcav.org.au/news-events/calendar-of-events.

FCAV has *2 FREE tickets valued at $200 each available to each of these events. Please register your interest to attend these events by email. As a subject header, list the title of the seminar and in the body of the email include your name, address, mobile and home phone numbers. To be in the running, send to competition@fcav.org.au or call 9416 4292, not later than 2 weeks before the training date.

The 2014 National Conference is to be held at Wrest Point Casino, Hobart. The Conference runs over 2 days on 13 and 14 November 2014.Registrations will begin in the coming months. The FCAV would like to support any carers who are planning to attend the Conference. If you are interested in attending, please contact FCAV at admin@fcav.org.au ensuring your availability in November and the support you require. For more information and further registration information:

National Foster & Kinship Care Conference 2014 - EOI

http://togetherconference.kennerleykids.org.au

Free!

IFCO 2014 European Conference 26-29 August 2014 • Waterford City, Ireland For more details visit www.conference.ifco.info

Are you wanting to attend NAIDOC Week events but are not sure what's on? Check with your foster care agency who should know what local events are being held in your area. Victoria's local Councils all observe NAIDOC Week and are another helpful source of information.

Carers can also contact the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) at the following offices: East Brunswick: 8388 1855Preston: 94807300Ringwood: 9871 9000Dandenong: 9701 4200Morwell: 5135 6055

The City of Melbourne is hosting a family-friendly community event at Birrarung Marr on Friday, 12 July 2014 from 11.30am-1.30pm. There will be children’s activities at ArtPlay and performances from Aboriginal musicians. For more details, call 9658 9658.

Bunjilaka is the Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum in Carlton Gardens. It was developed to empower Aboriginal Australians to interpret their own cultural heritage, for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. http://museumvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka/about-us/

To inquire about NAIDOC Week activities call: 1300 135 858

NAIDOC Week Events

Foster Care Association of Victoria IncLevel 1, 398 Smith Street, Collingwood, Victoria, 3066P: (03) 9416 4292F: (03) 8415 0297E: admin@fcav.org.auW: www.fcav.org.auABN: 30 747 010 099

Are you an FCAV member.... or know someone who should be?

FCAV is the voice of foster carers in Victoria and your membership supports our mission to strengthen foster care and support foster carers at every stage of the foster care journey.

We put you at the centre. We offer you confidential, independent, individual support from our Carer Information Support Service and regular newsletter updates that cover important foster care related issues, events, training and giveaways. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to topical surveys and add your voice to improving foster care support in Victoria.

Membership is free. Applications can be made online, or call us to join.

Update your details...Moved? Changed agencies? Visit our website, or call or email with any changes.

Donate to FCAVYour contribution is valuable and we appreciate your thoughtfulness. The Foster Care Association of Victoria has been endorsed to access some charity tax concessions, however, does not hold deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.If you would like to make a contribution please visit the website: www.fcav.org.au/donate Contact us if you would like to more information about the work we do to support Victorian foster carers and how you can help.

F o s t e r C a r e A s s o c i a t i o n o f V i c t o r i a , I n c .

Board of Directors Nomination Form

Nominated member’s name:

Nominated member’s signature:

Nominating member’s name:

Nominating member’s signature:

Becoming a Board Director

At our AGM in September, FCAV full members will elect three (3) Directors that will serve for a period

of three years. These elected people will not only have a passion & commitment to improving the

outcomes for children in care, but also be interested in making a difference through involvement at an

organisational & State level. The Board meet on a monthly basis, and for regional Directors, travel

costs and overnight accommodation are reimbursed, where necessary.

Once the Board of Directors are elected, the Board appoints the President, Vice President, Secretary

and Treasurer. That is, members only elect the Board, and the Board is then responsible for

determining who they think will best fill the executive roles.

To be considered for the role of Board Director, complete this form, accompanied by a short

biographical statement of not more than 200 words (for examples see FCAV website for current

Director’s biographies). Nominations must be received in writing at the FCAV office either by email at

admin@fcav.org.au or mailed or delivered to FCAV, Level One, 398 Smith Street, Collingwood 3066

not later than 5pm on Wednesday 13th August, 2014. Please note if emailing a clear signature

must be scanned and included. We request you provide to FCAV a ‘head and shoulders’ colour photo,

on a neutral background if you would like FCAV to use one in our candidate bios and other election

materials. Please photocopy as needed.

A copy of the FCAV Association Rules, policies and reports can be viewed by going to our website at

www.fcav.org.au and clicking on ‘About Us’.

If you would like more information on the prospective role as an FCAV Board Director, call

Nicole Misurelli, FCAV President, on 0407 652 632, or Katie Hooper, FCAV CEO, on (03) 9416 4292

4292.

Elected Directors ceasing to be elected Directors are:

Catherine Young

Karen Doby (retired)

Josh Fergeus (retired)

Nomination for a Board of Director’s position must be received at the FCAV office

located at Level One, 398 Smith Street Collingwood, 3066 not later than

5:00 pm on Wednesday 13th August 2014.