Foster Carers and Kinship Carers
What is the ACT Carers’ Charter?
The ACT Carers’ Charter provides a policy framework to guide the way government and
community services meet the needs of carers in the ACT. The Charter will raise awareness of
members of our community who have a caring role. The Charter also has an educational
function; raising community awareness of carers to reduce any barriers faced.
Why introduce a Carers Charter in the ACT?
Carers make a significant contribution to the social and economic welfare of our community.
The Charter outlines what carers should expect from ACT Government and community
organisations in relation to their caring role.
Formal recognition of carers has been provided under policy and legislation in the ACT. The
Charter provides a platform for improving the experience of carers by recognising that carers
needs are diverse and all carers should expect to be treated with dignity and respect.
Who is a Carer?
The ACT has approximately 35,000 carers (ABS) although this is considered an underrepresentation of the total number of carers across the ACT. In the ACT, the term ‘carer’
encompasses a broad diversity of individuals performing a caring role. The Charter defines a
carer as “a person who provides unpaid care to someone else who is dependent on the
person for ongoing care and assistance”.
This definition includes people who provide informal care and support to friends and relatives
with needs associated with disability, ageing, ongoing physical or mental illness, or substance
abuse, as well as grandparents, approved kinship carers or foster carers who provide a caring
role to children and young people involved in the child protection system. Carers in the ACT
provide vital support to people who need care, assistance with physical care, emotional
support, security and love.
Kinship care
When a child or young person enters care under the Children and Young People Act 2008,
Care and Protection Services will enquire and assess family members who may be prepared to
provide care for a child or children.
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Kinship care is when approved care is provided by a family member (extended family) or an
adult significant to the child or young person. The approval of these care arrangements is
provided by Care and Protection Services or a Court.
Foster care
Some children and young people may not have family members to provide for their care. In
such instances, Care and Protection Services will approach the out of home care agencies to
arrange for an approved foster carer to care for a child or children. Children and young
people, carers and parents have rights and responsibilities when involved with the out of
home care system.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kinship and Foster Care Service
When an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child or young person is in care, priority will be
given to placing the child with family or community. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Service support the families in conjunction with other agencies.
Expectations of carers
Consistent with the ACT Carers’ Charter, approved foster carers and kinship carers may expect
the following when providing care to a child or young person:
• support and information from their agency/ Care and Protection Services workers and
other professionals;
• to be provided with the necessary information about the child or young person to enable
a carer to make informed decisions about whether or not to accept the placement and to
effectively care for the child or young person;
• participate and be included in decision making processes concerning a child in their care;
• be informed of decisions an agency/ Care and Protection Services makes that may have
an impact on the care of the child or young person; and
• be part of the decision making process about placement information that may be given to
the child or young person’s parents.
Resources available for carers are broad and diverse across the ACT community, including
services in the community available to all residents and services available for families needing
support through the Child and Family Centres at Gungahlin, Belconnen and Tuggeranong.
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For further information on being a kinship or foster carer
Community Services Directorate
Foster Carers and Kinship Carers Guide – A Resource for Carers in the ACT
www.dhcs.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/155035/Foster_Carer_Handbook.pdf
The Carer Liaison Officer within CSD
Ph:
Email:
6205 2856
carerliaisonofficer@act.gov.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kinship Carer Liaison Officer
Ph:
62057190
Child and family Centres
A one-stop-shop for FREE friendly support for parents and carers. Maternal and child health nurses, playgroups,
therapy, physiotherapy, childhood immunisations, parenting information, counselling, nutrition. DROP IN or
phone during business hours.
Gungahlin
Location:
Cnr Ernest Cavanagh Street and Gungahlin Place, Gungahlin ACT 2912
Ph:
(02) 6207 0120
Tuggeranong
Location:
159 Anketell St, Greenway ACT (opposite the Hyperdome)
Ph:
(02) 6207 8228
West Belconnen
Location:
Cnr Starke & Luke Sts, Holt (Kippax shopping Centre)
Ph:
(02) 6205 2904
Community Groups – Representation and advocacy
Foster Care Association ACT (FCA)
Ph:
Email:
(02) 6232 1822
office@fcaact.org.au
Grandparent and Kinship Carers (ACT) Incorporated
Email:
grandship@live.com.au
Grandparents ACT and Region
Ph:
(02)61625800
Email:
grandparents@marymead.org.au
Web: www.grandparents.org.au
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Kinship Carer Advocacy and Representation Support Service (KARSS) –
Marymead
Ph:
Email:
(02) 61625891
Kerri.Huett@marymead.org.au
Feedback, Compliments and Complaints
Community Services Directorate
OCYFS@act.gov.au
dhcs@act.gov.au
www.dhcs.act.gov.au/complaints_and_advocacy/client_feedback_form
Oversight Agencies
The ACT Human Rights Commission
The role of The ACT Human Rights Commission is to promote and protect the rights and wellbeing of all
people living in the ACT
Ph:
Email:
(02) 6205 2222
human.rights@act.gov.au
The Public Advocate of the ACT
The role of the Public Advocate ACT is to protect and promote the rights and interests of vulnerable people.
Ph:
Email:
(02) 6207 0707
pa@act.gov.au
The ACT Ombudsman
The ACT Ombudsman investigates complaints about the administrative actions of ACT Government
agencies and public education providers.
Ph:
Email:
1300 362 072
ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.au
Accessibility
The ACT Government is committed to making its information, services, events and venues, accessible to as many
people as possible.
If you have difficulty reading a standard printed document and would like to receive this publication in an alternative
format – such as large print or audio – please telephone (02) 6205 0619.
If English is not your first language and you require the translating and interpreting services – please telephone 131
450.
If you are deaf or hearing impaired and require the TTY typewriter service – please telephone (02) 6205 0888.
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