Placement and Support
Reviewing Kinship Care policy and practice
The Placement and Support Unit within the Office for Children is reviewing Kinship Care policy and practice. Kinship care placements are the first preference under the new Children Youth and Families Act 2005 (section 10 (h)), and now comprise one third of all placements in Victoria - approximately 1600 children live in kinship arrangements.
The review focuses on children who have been placed in the care of relatives as a result of child protection intervention, whilst also acknowledging the needs of the wider group of relatives who care for children without statutory involvement. The issues confronting the two groups are often similar, and it is intended that improvements in service responsiveness for the "statutory group" may also contribute to improvements for the "non-statutory group". The project is also cognisant of the current interest in the needs of "grandparent carers" at the Commonwealth level and will it is intended that the needs of statutory carers are raised within the context of these discussions.
An Issues Paper is available that outlines our current knowledge and recent research on the distinct nature, strengths, difficulties and challenges of care provided by family members. The paper also poses key questions for consideration as part of the review process.
Issues and Principles, Kinship Care - 2007 [PDF 208kb]
A four page summary of the issues paper is also available. This has space to write comments and a return address.
Summary of Issues and Principles, Kinship Care - 2007 [PDF 67kb]
Consultations are being held across Victoria where these questions and issues will be publicly discussed. Relatives, workers, and other interested persons are encouraged to attend.