The vital role carers play in providing safe, supportive, and caring environments for children who cannot live safely with their parents has been recognised in a new Charter for Carers involved with ACT child protection services (Charter for Carers).
The ACT Government has now developed three charters to outline the shared expectations and responsibilities when working together in the out-of-home care system, and to promote positive relationships and partnerships between children, young people, families, carers and child and youth protection staff.
The new Charter for Carers joins the Charter of Rights for Kids in Care and Charter for Parents and Families involved with ACT child protection services.
Minister for Children, Youth and Family Services Rachel Stephen-Smith said the development of a Charter for Carers was a key action under Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030 – the ACT strategy for strengthening families and keeping children and young people safe.
"In addition to recognising the critical role carers play in children and young people's lives, the Charter for Carers sets out the shared understanding for thoughtful, culturally safe and trauma-informed practices for carers, child protection staff and out-of-home care workers," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"It is timely that we have launched this Charter during National Foster and Kinship Care week. This is a time for all of us to acknowledge the enormous contribution these carers make to our community, and I would like to thank all the kinship and foster carers across the ACT who provide such vital support to children and young people in often challenging circumstances.
"It is inspiring to see the dedication, care, and strength of our kinship and foster carers and how their support can help change and improve the lives of the children and young people they care for.
"I would also like to thank the kinship and foster carers and our sector partners who helped inform the principles and practices outlined in the Charter. The insight, experience and knowledge shared helped to ensure the Charter is a clear and practical guide to standards of behaviour and support for carers, children, young people and families."
Recent legislative change enabled each of the out-of-home care charters to become formal notifiable instruments on the ACT legislation register to improve transparency and accountability in the child and youth protection system and ensure children, young people, families and carers feel heard and respected.
You can view the Charter for Carers and consultation Listening Report on YourSay Conversations.
