Lyla Lindsey
Kinship care in Australia is a type of care arrangement where a child who cannot live with their parents is placed in the care of a relative, friend, or local community member. This form of care has become the preferred placement type for children who cannot reside with their parents, and it is increasingly prevalent across Australia. Kinship care is particularly significant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as it ensures they remain connected to their culture and community. The rate of children and young people being placed in out-of-home care in Australia has been steadily rising, with kinship care being one of the options within this system. This care arrangement is supported by various government and non-government organisations, providing resources, training, and financial assistance to kinship carers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Care provided by relatives or a member of a child's social network when a child cannot live with their parents |
| Types | Formal, Informal, Statutory, Non-statutory |
| Placement | Children are placed with relatives, friends or local community members by child protection agencies |
| Duration | From a few months to a number of years until they turn 18 |
| Support | Support is provided by a dedicated team, including advice, critical documents, support workers, and carer groups |
| Allowances | Carers may receive a non-taxable Foster Care Subsidy, the amount of which varies between states |
| Cultural Considerations | Carers of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children are expected to keep them connected to their culture. Aboriginal kinship care values community and culture as central to the child's safety and development |
| Legislation | The Family Law Act 1975, Care and Protection Act, Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 |
| Court Orders | Care orders, Parenting orders |
| Agencies | Kinship Care Workers, Kinship Care Teams, Child Protection, Department for Child Protection, Key Assets Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Kinship care is the preferred placement type for children who cannot live with their parents
In Australia, kinship care is the fastest-growing form of out-of-home care, with 45.4% of children and young people in this type of care as of 2010. This is a significant increase from 4.9% in 2005 to 6.7% in 2009. Kinship care is preferred as it preserves family connections, promotes cultural identity, and reduces the trauma of separation.
There are two main types of kinship care: formal and informal. Formal kinship care is when a care order or parenting order is made by a court, and the child is placed with relatives or kin by child protection agencies. Informal kinship care is a voluntary arrangement made between family members without the intervention of child protection authorities. In this case, the child's parents remain the legal guardians and have parental responsibility.
Kinship carers in Australia receive support and resources from organisations like Key Assets Australia and the Department for Child Protection. They may also be eligible for financial allowances, such as the non-taxable Foster Care Subsidy or the Supported Care Allowance in NSW. Carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are expected to keep those children connected to their culture and community.
Overall, kinship care provides a supportive and familiar environment for children who cannot live with their parents, prioritising family and cultural connections to promote the child's safety, stability, and development.
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Aboriginal kinship care
Kinship care is the preferred placement type for children who cannot live with their parents. It is the care provided by relatives or a member of a child's social network when a child cannot live with their parents. Aboriginal kinship care is a form of out-of-home care placement that provides family-based care to Aboriginal children and young people who have been removed from their family homes. This type of care ensures that Aboriginal family and community and Aboriginal culture are central to the child's safety, stability, and development.
The Aboriginal Child Placement Principle guides practices to ensure that Indigenous children who cannot live with their birth parents are placed with relatives, kin, or community members as a first option. This principle is reflected in the legislation or policies of all states and territories. The process of finding carers for Aboriginal children in out-of-home care or at risk of entering care is called family finding. This process involves identifying and mapping the extended family for the child, which can include extended family groups within clan groups.
The concept of kinship in Aboriginal culture goes beyond the nuclear family and encourages individuals to develop a flexible understanding of the family unit and relationships with others. The kinship system is a central feature of Aboriginal socialisation and family relationships, with kinship ties determining a person's rights, responsibilities, and behaviour. Totems, skin names, and the classificatory system of kinship are all important aspects of the kinship system in Aboriginal communities.
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Formal vs informal kinship care arrangements
Kinship care is the preferred placement type for children who cannot live with their parents. It involves care provided by relatives or a member of a child's social network. Formal and informal kinship care arrangements differ in the level of intervention from child protection authorities and the degree of parental responsibility held by the kinship carer.
Informal Kinship Care Arrangements
Informal kinship care arrangements are voluntary agreements between family members that do not typically require the intervention of child protection authorities. The child's parents usually discuss and agree with the kinship carer on the specifics of the arrangement, including financial support. Informal kinship care can include a close relative, such as a grandparent, taking care of a child, or a more distant relative or family friend caring for a child under specific circumstances, such as for less than 28 days. These arrangements can be temporary and may eventually lead to more formal arrangements, such as special guardianship orders, particularly if children's services determine that the child cannot return to their parent's care.
Formal Kinship Care Arrangements
Formal kinship care, on the other hand, is more challenging to define due to the complexities surrounding kinship care in Australia. These complexities include the legislative differences across states and territories, government policies, and the cultural significance of kinship care for Indigenous communities and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations. Formal kinship care generally refers to statutory arrangements made by child protection agencies, where children are placed with relatives, friends, or community members. Formal kinship care is recognised as having advantages within the formal structures of child protection, including preserving family connections, promoting cultural identity, and reducing separation trauma.
Transitioning Between Formal and Informal Arrangements
In some cases, a non-approved kinship carer may be authorised to provide temporary care for a child for up to three months under specific legislation, such as Section 77 of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017. This temporary placement allows time for a full carer assessment to be completed before a more permanent arrangement is determined.
While informal arrangements provide flexibility and direct communication between parents and kinship carers, they also carry the risk of the arrangement ending abruptly if the parent decides to resume care without notice. On the other hand, formal arrangements, such as special guardianship orders, provide a greater degree of stability and certainty for the child but may require court involvement and impact parental responsibility.
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Support for kinship carers
Kinship care is the preferred placement type for children who cannot live with their parents. It is the care provided by relatives or a member of a child's social network when a child cannot live with their parents.
Kinship carers face many challenges, and various support services are available to help them navigate these challenges and provide the best care for the children in their care.
Financial Support:
Statutory kinship carers who have been assessed and approved by Child Protection are eligible for a care allowance through the department. The amount of financial support provided depends on the needs and age of the child or young person in their care. The government also provides payments and benefits to full-time kinship carers. Organisations like Marymead, Central Coast Family Support Services, and Wanslea also provide support to grandparent carers, including assistance in applying for annual payments to help with the care of their grandchildren.
Information and Advice:
The Australian Government's Carer Gateway website provides information about services and support for carers. Family Relationships Online is a national telephone service that offers advice and information on family relationships. Services Australia's Grandparent, Foster, and Kinship Carer Advisers can provide information about payments and support services for kinship carers and refer them to community service providers in their area. MacKillop Family Services and the Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing also provide information and support to kinship carers.
Community Support:
Kinship Carers Victoria (KCV) is the peak body for all kinship carers in Victoria. KCV helps link individual kinship carers with other carers, support groups, self-help groups, and relevant networks. They also promote community awareness of kinship families and carers and provide advice to the government and community on improving support for children in kinship care. Organisations like Meli and the Mirabel Foundation also run support groups and provide advice for kinship carers.
Cultural Support:
Aboriginal Kinship Care services operate in every region of the state, providing culturally responsive support to approved kinship carers of Aboriginal children and young people. This ensures that Aboriginal family, community, and culture are central to the child's safety, stability, and development. The Department for Child Protection also works to locate potential carers for Aboriginal children through the family-finding process, which includes identifying and mapping extended family for the child.
Other Support Services:
The Care Support Help Desk provides tailored support to kinship carers, ensuring they have critical documents like Medicare details and birth certificates. Kinship care teams are also available to provide advice and support to kinship carers with current Child Protection involvement.
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The assessment process for kinship carers
In Australia, kinship care is the preferred placement type for children who cannot live with their parents. It involves care provided by relatives or a member of a child's social network. Aboriginal kinship care is a type of kinship care that is specifically designed to meet the needs of Aboriginal children and is guided by the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle. This type of care ensures that Aboriginal family, community, and culture are central to the child's safety, stability, and development.
Identifying Potential Carers
The first step in the assessment process is identifying potential kinship carers. This process, known as family finding, involves locating relatives or community members who can provide care for the child. It may include mapping the extended family and working collaboratively with local and regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, kinship care staff, and Local Cultural Authorities (LCA).
Initial Contact and Referral
Once potential kinship carers have been identified, the relevant authorities will make initial contact and refer them for assessment. This may include providing information about the process, answering any questions, and ensuring that the potential carers understand the expectations and responsibilities of becoming a kinship carer.
Carer Assessment
The carer assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of the potential kinship carer's ability to provide a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for the child. It typically includes interviews, home visits, background checks, and assessments of all adult household members. The assessment considers factors such as the carer's relationship with the child, their motivation for providing care, their capacity to meet the child's needs, and any potential risks or concerns.
Working with Children Checks
Kinship carers are required to undergo working with children checks to ensure that they are suitable for working with and caring for children. These checks help protect children from potential harm and screen for any risks that may impact the carer's ability to provide a safe environment.
Approval and Registration
After completing the assessment process, the relevant authorities will review the assessment report and make a decision regarding the approval of the kinship carer. If approved, the carer will be registered, and the placement of the child can proceed. The approval process may involve meeting certain conditions set by the approving authority.
Ongoing Support and Monitoring
Kinship care organisations provide ongoing support and guidance to approved kinship carers. This includes helping carers work with case management, contributing to planning and delivering services, and supporting decision-making processes related to the health, safety, and wellbeing of the child. Regular assessments of the provision of care ensure that the placement continues to meet the needs of the child and that any issues or concerns are addressed promptly.
It is important to note that the assessment process for kinship carers in Australia may vary depending on the state or territory and the specific circumstances of each case. The process aims to ensure the best interests of the child and the ability of the kinship carer to provide a safe and supportive environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Kinship care in Australia is a type of care arrangement where a child who cannot live with their parents is cared for by a relative or a member of their social network. This type of care is preferred for children who cannot remain with their parents, and it is often used for Aboriginal children to ensure they remain connected to their culture and community.
Formal kinship care is when a care order or parenting order is made by a court, such as the Family Court of Australia or a state Children's Court. Informal kinship care, on the other hand, is a voluntary arrangement made between family members without the intervention of child protection authorities.
Kinship carers in Australia can receive support, training, and advocacy from various organisations and government bodies. They may also be eligible for different allowances and subsidies, such as the Supported Care Allowance or a non-taxable Foster Care Subsidy, to help with the costs of caring for a child.
To become a kinship carer in Australia, you will need to undergo an assessment process, similar to that for becoming a foster carer. This process may include training, background checks, and home assessments to ensure you can provide a safe and stable environment for the child.
