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This is the text only version of March 2008.

Queensland celebrates its foster and kinship carers

Foster and Kinship Care Week 2008 was a roaring success in March with events held right across Queensland in honour of our most dedicated carers.

The Week was launched on Sunday 9 March at AbraKiDazzle on thfor exampleld Coast where foster carers and their children enjoyed a day of dance, play and prizes.

About 150 people attended the event, hosted by Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech and organised by the Foster and Kinship Care Week committee (auspiced by PeakCare and Foster Care Queensland).

Children were treated to a magician, face painters, a dance show and a movie – not to mention hours of fun in the junglfor examplem.

Foster carers Barbara Dlugosz and Elizabeth Katimertzis met at the event and exchanged their caring experiences from the comfort of the cafeteria while watching their children play in the junglfor examplem.

"This is great…it’s exactly what we need," Barbara said.

"It brightens us up. Wfor examplet to meet other carers. It’s lovely – we really appreciate it," she said.

Carers, staff and the community were treated to range of interesting and unique events right across Queensland.

Some of those events included an appreciation dinner in Innisfail, a Murri food event on Palm Island, an 80s disco evening at Albany Creek, an Aussie bush dinner and dance at thfor exampleld Coast, a Mobile Family Adventure car rally at Karana Downs and a sausage sizzle in Gladstone.

The Foster and Kinship Care Week committee awarded grant funding to a range of organisations to host events during the Week.

Foster and kinship carers were really pampered at grant funded events, including at a High Tea in Goodna, a pamper day with beauty therapies and buffet lunch in Mount Isa, a de-stress and relaxation workshop in Freshwater, and several movie days.

Foster and Kinship Care Week committee chairperson and PeakCare’s Policy and Research Manager, Sue Reade, said she was overwhelmed by community participation in events during the Week.

"Local communities have really shown their support for foster and kinship carers by participating in events held right around Queensland," Sue said.

"My thanks goes out to all of you. Our combined support of foster and kinship carers means we are putting the best interests of children and young people in care first."

Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Awards were held in Brisbane recently.

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Director General’s Message

I was very pleased to present Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Awards to seven outstanding carer families this month.

My sincere thanks and congratulations goes out to Kevin and Judy Morrisey, Daphne Pickett, Mark and Wendy Tasker, Anna Miletic, Michelle Eastabrook, Marlene Hennig, Lesley Sargent and Phillip Hannah.

These carers – one carer or carer couple from each of the seven zones in Queensland – havfor examplene above and beyond in their care of the children in their homes.

The stories of their experiences are truly inspirational. They really are some of the most generous, amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

The Excellence Awards ceremony is just one small gesture the Department makes in expressing the high regard that we really do hold our foster and kinship carers in.

We continue to improve Brighter Futures magazine to include helpful information for foster and kinship carers.

Last month saw the introduction of ‘Sandpit’ – a section especially for kids. The section includes a range of games, and gives children the opportunity to send us their drawings and stories.

This month we have included for the first time ‘Hints and Tips’ – a section especially for foster and kinship carers. We have worked with Foster Care Queensland and Department of Child Safety staff to put the page together, and hope you find it useful.

As always, if you have any feedback or comments about Brighter Futures, please email us at:

Norelle Deeth
Director-General
Department of Child Safety

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Because every child deserves the right start

In Queensland, children aged one to four years are almost twice as likely to be the subject of a confirmed case of child abuse or neglect than a 15 or 16 year old. Babies less than one year old are nearly four times as likely to be subject to a confirmed case of abuse or neglect than a 15 or 16 year old.

This month the Department of Child Safety’s $12 million One Chance at Childhood initiative kicked off with 26 newly appointed specialist officers commencing training.

The initiative targets those children, aged zero to four years, who are known to the Department and puts emphasis on the children’s need for long-term stability.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech said the aim of the One Chance at Childhood initiative was to enhance the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable babies and toddlers in Queensland.

"The initiative looks at the most effective way of achieving stability for each child on a case-by-case basis whether that is through reunification or alternative long-term options.

"The priority is to provide assistance and support to parents whose children are living away from home, to help them address the issues that led to their children being removed in the first place.

"If parents still cannot ensure their child’s safety and wellbeing after receiving this assistance, the Department will seek alternative long-term care options for them.

"It’s integral that the best interests of the child are put first in all child protection decision making.

"This initiative is about protecting children who, because of their age and developmental stages, are highly dependent on their caregivers and as a result are more vulnerable than many older children,” she said.

Mrs Keech said the 31 specialist officers would receive introductory training specific to the initiative. Training would cover a wide range of topics from advanced risk assessment through to theories of child development, infant mental health and disability.

Following the completion of their training, the officers will begin reviewing case files for babies and toddlers aged zero to four who are already in the Department’s care.

"Parents have the primary responsibility for keeping their children safe," Mrs Keech said.

"We will work with parents to help them change so that their children can go home safely, but if this cannot happen then the Department will take responsibility to ensure the child has long term stability."

Tui Anderson, Early Childhood and Reunification Officer, Brisbane North and Sunshine Coast Zone with Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech.

Tui, recently returned to Australia after a stint volunteering in Ghana, has worked for the Abused Child Trust, the Witness Assistance Service with the Department of Public Prosecutions in NSW and, in 2005, graduated from the University of Queensland Graduate Certificate in Human Services (Child Protection Studies) with a Department of Child Safety scholarship.

"How can we observe the opinion of a one year old when they have the least ‘voice’? So many decisions are made for them.

By incorporating an attachment framework our priority will be magnifying the best interests of babies and toddlers into the decision-making process.

The One Chance at Childhood program relies on solid decision making that will stand up over time. We will be helping to give these children a voice."

Kasha Rolley, Early Childhood Program Coordinator, Logan and Brisbane West Zone.

Kasha has been with the Department of Child Safety since 1997 and has spent most of that time creating families at Adoption Services Queensland.

"This initiative is really exciting because it gives us the ability to make a difference by working intensively with families and babies.

We (specialist staff) will be there to support child safety officers (CSOs) in the decision-making process. We aren’t there to be a hindrance, but to help with more complicated cases.

CSO’s will then be able to apply those skills learned from us to their work with older children and their families."

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Minister's Message

This month marks an exciting new era for the Department of Child Safety with the introduction of our new $12 million dollar One Chance at Childhood strategy.

Twenty six One Chance at Childhood officers are now on duty throughout Queensland, with five more to soon follow.

These officers have been specially trained to ensure that babies in the 0-4 years agfor exampleoup are case managed by early childhood experts, with a focus on their long-term outcomes.

Our goal through this program is greater stability for the children. This may come through reunification with parents, after they have addressed the issues that caused the child to be removed. One Chance at Childhood Officers will be working with parents teaching them the skills necessary to care for and protect their children.

But in some cases that is simply not possible. Some parents may not be willing or able to make the changes needed to have their children returned. One Chance at Childhood allows the Department more flexibility to seek long term care options for the child.

Every case is different, and each decision will be made with the child’s safety and best interests paramount. The initiative is designed to ensure our most vulnerable children have the stability they need to properly develop.

Research indicates that ‘drifting’ in and out of the care system can severely hamper a child’s development, particularly between the crucial ages of 0-4 years, so ensuring stable, long-term outcomes for these children is an absolute priority.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Queensland’s carers, who step in when parents fail, providing loving, safe, stable homes for our state’s most vulnerable children.

The dedication you show to these children is truly remarkable, as evidenced by the amazing stories I heard during last month’s Foster and Kinship Care Week.

It’s you who are helping give at-risk Queensland children the One Chance at Childhood they so deserve.

Margaret Keech MP
Minister for Child Safety
and Minister for Women
Member for Albert

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Child Safety Minister tours Indigenous communities

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech has applauded the locals of Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw who are working hard to make their communities better places.

On a recent trip to the Western Cape York, Mrs Keech saw first hand the work being undertaken to address issues of concern.

"There are many fine examples of leadership and innovation in Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama," she said.

"The Kowanyama Mothers and Babies centre is one such community-driven service setting the standard for other communities to follow.

"The staff go out of their way to ensure the benefits are felt - from picking up mothers and their babies from their homes to ensuring the babies are fed before they leave.

"I was impressed by the initiative shown by local women, such as Josie Creek, in setting up the centre. "It’s clearly having a positive impact in Kowanyama.

"Babies are being wfor exampleed, monitored and regularly checked by a child health nurse, paediatrician and other medical professionals to ensure their care.

"Mothers are also being taught parenting skills

"I cannot thank those who contribute to this impressive service enough for their efforts."

Mrs Keech said women empowering the Kowanyama community included the Anglican Church Women’s group.

Around 10 women meet on a weekly basis to share their stories, discuss the scripture and support each other.

"Through this they empower each other to improve their lives. This message then spreads through many other women in the community, their mothers, daughters, grand-daughters and friends," Mrs Keech said

"At the moment they are studying great women of the Bible and I presented thfor exampleoup with two books, one on Mother Teresa and the other Spiritual Writings on Mary.

"They were so thrilled to receive the texts that as we were leaving they were already reading the books.

"I hope these books will help them in their studies and their aim to inspire their own lives by learning about thfor exampleeat achievements of women in the Bible."

In Pormpuraaw, Mrs Keech was impressed by the work of Pormpur Paanth, an Indigenous Recognised Entity, which provides the Department of Child Safety with important cultural advice to ensure the cultural needs of children are being met, while maintaining their safety.

Mrs Keech said Pormpur Paanth was helping the community by providing violence prevention and support programs, along with a homeless shelter for women and children, in addition to an intermediary service.

"Pormpur Paanth is ensuring victims of domestic violence have a place to turn and be safe," she said.

"They also have a very good initiative in their own child protection committee that is utilising on-thfor exampleound delivery concepts by developing local solutions to local problems.

"This type of delivery service is something we will learn from.

"Pormpur Paanth is an example of how successful these organisations can be in making a real difference in their communities."

Mrs Keech said it was clear there was still much work to be done in Queensland’s Indigenous communities.

"But I was heartened by the dedication and determination of those committed to improving life for locals," she said.

"I was deeply saddened by the neglect, drinking and gambling I witnessed, but I was also heartened by the strfor exampleh and determination of many of the community leaders, especially the women, who are confronting these issues.

"The Bligh Government is supporting these communities and has committed $65 million in new funds this year to provide new services to Indigenous communities to help fight these problems.

"But it will also take strong leadership and innovation from the local councils and community leaders to meet these challfor examples."

During her two day trip Mrs Keech met with representatives from the councils, community agencies, health, police and education services in Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama.

"I challfor exampled the council leaders to make addressing issues of child abuse and neglect one of their utmost priorities," she said.

"As community leaders we need them to develop and implement new initiatives to address issues of neglect and abuse, and their causes, within their communities.

"We know they need our support to make theses changes - and that’s why the Bligh Government is working closely with the councils.

"During the trip I inspected the sites of four safe houses to be built by the Department of Child Safety in Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama.

"Ensuring that children who have been harmed or who are at risk of harm have a safe place to stay within their community is essential.

"Building these safehouses is one of many initiatives underway to improve services within these communities."

Mrs Keech said the Department of Child Safety was also working closely with other Government agencies and non-government partners to improve service provision.

But the key to making life better for locals was seeking their input and listening to their needs, she said.

"I met many wonderful workers and amazing people during my two day stay and I know there is much more we can do to support them," Mrs Keech said.

"I listened to their feedback and we are continually improving our processes so that we can provide the best possible support to the most important people in the world, the children.

"I would like to thank both communities for the warm welcome I received and I look forward to continuing to work with them."

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech (middle) with Wu Chopperen representatives Nancy Long, Michael White, Karen Salam and Department of Child Safety Far Northern Zonal Director Brenda Campbell.

ormer Pormpuraaw Mayor, Councillor Bert Edwards with Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech.

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Foster and Kinship Care Excellence Awards 2008

Seven carer families were presented with awards for their outstanding dedication to Queensland’s vulnerable children and young people during an awards ceremony at Customs House Brisbane on Friday, 14 March.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech presented awards to one foster or kinship carer family from each of the Department’s seven zones at the annual Foster and Kinship Care Excellence Awards.

Kevin and Judy Morrisey of Herberton: Far Northern Zone

Kevin and Judy Morrisey have been caring for children in the Atherton area for approximately three years.

During that time they have proven themselves to be focussed, diligent, caring and considerate of the children in their care.

Among the children they have cared for is a young boy with special medical needs who came into their care in 2005 and remains with them today.

This boy endures intellectual and physical challfor examples relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Judy and Kevin accepted the challfor example of managing his condition and subsequent treatment, and have demonstrated admirable support for this young person as they would their own child.

During this time, Judy and Kevin have also cared for other children with significant behavioural issues.

Staff at the Atherton Child Safety Service Centre have admired Judy and Kevin’s outstanding commitment to children in their care and believe that they deserve recognition.

Daphne Pickett of Mount Isa: Northern Zone

Daphne Pickett has been a foster carer for some 25 years. During this time, Daphne has consistently cared for children in Mount Isa and Camooweal.

Although Daphne is not an Indigenous carer herself, she has a high level of awareness of the cultural needs of Indigenous children, as well as an extensive knowlfor example of the Indigenous communities surrounding Mount Isa. Daphne ensures that Indigenous children in her care have access to culturally related events and activities.

She has also demonstrated her commitment to the needs of the children by seeking assistance from and working with professionals such as medical specialists to help care for them.

Daphne has also happily undertaken training opportunities offered to her and has also shared her insights and experiences of caring for children with other carers.

Daphne’s outstanding commitment to the needs of children in her care has been valued by Department of Child Safety staff, Pathways and community members.

My kids are really excited and bragging to everybody that I was in the paper and had lunch with the Minister. They are all proud that I am their foster mum

Anna Miletic, Foster Carer

Anna Miletic of Sippy Downs: Brisbane North and Sunshine Coast Zone

Anna has been a carer for 13 years and has cared for more than 50 children and young people during this time.

Two of the children in Anna’s care have been with her for 12 and for examplet years respectively. Anna and her extended family have embraced these two children unequivocally as members of their family.

One of the children in Anna’s long-term care was born with serious life threatening auto-immune deficiencies and came into her care as a baby straight from hospital. This young person’s needs are complex and have impacted on his learning, growth and development.

Anna has worked closely with the Make a Wish and Starlight Foundations during the child’s prolonged periods of hospitalisation and in his transition back home to her care.

Such commitment and dedication to the two children in her long-term care has not reduced Anna’s capacity to care for additional children. Anna is often contacted when an emfor examplency or sibling placement is needed.

"It was a great day. I have become a celebrity on the Sunshine Coast – everybody is ringing me!" Anna said.

"My kids are really excited and bragging to everybody that I was in the paper and had lunch with the Minister. They are all proud that I am their foster mum.

"It’s them that makes what I do enjoyable, tiring but fun!"

Mark and Wendy Taskerof Capella: Central Zone

Mark and Wendy Tasker have raised six children of their own and have demonstrated an unlimited capacity to love, care for and support children who have been placed in their care.

The couple became foster carers 18 months ago and, during that time, they have accepted the challfor example of caring for for examplet children and young people including five teenage boys.

In caring for these children and young people Mark and Wendy have established the routines of a typical family environment. The couple have highly developed skills in areas ranging from behaviour management to business management. They have provided the young people in their care with routines as well as an atmosphere of sharing and caring.

Mark and Wendy always have something positive to say about every child in their care and have demonstrated at all times a willingness to seek services and support for children in their care and to advocate for them on their behalf.

Michelle Easterbrook of Upper Coomera: Brisbane South and Gold Coast Zone

Michelle Easterbrook, or Shelley, as she is better known, has accepted and enjoyed all of the challfor examples associated with caring for two children in her long-term care.

Shelley’s commitment to behaviour management has helped one of the children in her care show remarkable improvement in behavioural issues, self esteem and attachment issues.

Shelley has also demonstrated a consistent willingness to work in partnership with the Department of Child Safety and community agencies to advance the progress of the children in her care. Shelley has always advocated on behalf of the children in her care to achieve positive outcomes for them.

Shelley is supportive of the children in her care having contact with their biological families and has assisted them to keep in touch with extended family members. She has also collated photo albums, charts and diaries for the children in her care to ensure they have memories to reflect on later in life.

Marlene Hennig of Loganlea: Logan and Brisbane West Zone

Marlene has accepted the challfor examples and rewards of caring for two girls with high needs who have been placed in her care since 2000 and 2001.

The eldest of these two girls is now nine years of age and suffers from brain damage. She is unable to communicate or walk and has to rely on Marlene for all of her daily needs.

The second girl in Marlene’s long-term care also has extreme high needs and suffers from autism. During her time with Marlene this child has thrived and is now able to walk, communicate with sign language and say a few words.

Marlene is an incredible person who does everything in her power to provide the best possible care to children placed with her.

Despite the personal challfor examples Marlene has faced in recent years, her commitment to the children in her care has never wavered and she continues to provide them with unlimited love and support.

We became foster carers because there’s kids out there who need looking after – it’s such a rewarding experience

Lesley Sargent, Foster Carer

Lesley Sargent and Phillip Hannah of Redbank Plains: Ipswich and Western Zone

Lesley Sargent and Phillip Hannah accepted the opportunity and challfor examples of caring for a child in care since he was a six week old baby.

Due to this child receiving brain injury as a baby prior to entering their care he has significant developmental delay and suffers from epilepsy and intellectual impairment. This young person is now nearly nine years of age and Lesley and Phillip plan to care for him for many more years.

Staff from the Department of Child Safety and community agencies have noted Lesley and Phillip’s constant willingness to provide this child with loving, caring, competent and consistent parenting.

Lesley and Phillip have ensured that all of the child’s developmental, educational, medical and social needs have been met in a suitable and thoughtful manner.

Lesley and Phillip have ensured that this child also continues to maintain contact with his extended family members.

"We became foster carers because there’s kids out there who need looking after – it’s such a rewarding experience," Lesley said.

"The most rewarding thing is when they say ‘I love you’."

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech presented the carers with their Excellence Awards.

"Each and every one of our carers is making an amazing contribution to their local community and they deserve our sincere thanks and recognition.

"These carers do an amazing job, but there is no doubt that we need more of them," Mrs Keech said.

The Foster and Kinship Care Excellence Awards are part of the statewide celebrations for Foster and Kinship Care Week 2008, which runs from 9 – 15 March.

To find out more about becoming a foster or kinship carer, call the Department of Child Safety on 1300 550 877 or visit the Department of Child Safety website.

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Safety helmet especially for infants

The Thudguard is a protective hat designed by an enterprising Scottish mother to protect toddlers’ heads, especially during those days when they take their first tentative steps.

The safety helmet is made from ultra light foam with a circumference band and chin strap that stretch to allow for comfort and growth.

The design allows for ventilation and reduces the severity of head injuries that can happen from simple accidents around the home.

The Thudguard has been endorsed by medical specialists throughout the European Union.

The helmet has also reduced infant patient numbers in Accident and Emfor examplency Units in the United Kingdom and been endorsed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

As part of the design process, Thudguard designer Kelly Forsyth-Gibson consulted experts who have worked extensively in developing safety helmets for a variety of industries.

The inspiration for the helmet came after Kelly’s daughter fell while she was learning to walk. The infant bumped her head badly and the rushed trip to the hospital, the x-rays and 24 hour observation period was a stressful time for the entire family.

To avoid that distress happening again, Kelly searched to find a protective hat or some device that could reduce the severity of everyday bumps for her toddler.

When she came up empty handed, it was a case of ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and Kelly started work on developing the Thudguard.

"Falling over and scrapped hands and knees are part of growing up", Thudguard inventor Kelly Forsyth-Gibson said.

"While parents takfor exampleeat care not to let their toddlers’ fall it’s inevitable that accidents happen.

The aim of the Thudguard is to reduce the severity of what can be a simple accident," she said.

The Thudguard is priced at $50.00 and is available online at the Thudguard website.

Orders are processed in the United Kingdom and there is a seven to ten working day delivery time. The cost includes postage and handling fees.

Falling over and scrapped hands and knees are part of growing up

Kelly Forsyth-Gibson, Thudguard inventor

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Crikey! Australia Zoo joins the Foster Carer Card program

Australia Zoo recently joined the Foster Carer Card program by offering free entry to foster carer cardholders, when they accompany a full fee paying child.

But Australia Zoo’s generosity didn’t begin there. About 100 Sunshine Coast carers took advantage of their free admissions offer over the Christmas break.

Australia Zoo’s Fundraising and Memberships Coordinator, Stephanie Lynch, said the offer is one way of acknowlfor exampleng thfor examplenerosity of foster and kinship carers.

"Foster and kinship carers have one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs on earth, and by crikey do we know it!" Stephanie said.

"So the crew here at Australia Zoo thought there would be no better way to say ‘thank you’ for your hard work than to allow foster and kinship carers the opportunity to experience the zoo for free!"

Australia Zoo’s belief is that children (and adults) need to know about conservation and the predicament of wildlife.

"Children need to be able to carry on this knowlfor example into their adulthood and help spread the conservation message across another generation," Stephanie said.

So it’s no surprise that Australia Zoo’s objective is to promote ‘Conservation through Exciting Education’.

"We believe that the protection of animals and our native wildlife should be a priority," Stephanie said.

Many animal species are on the vfor example of extinction so Stephanie said it is important for people to be aware and well informed about wildlife and their habitat.

"As more and more animal species become threatened by extinction, we must help to protect and advance our natural environment by raising awareness of wildlife issues and by providing information to the public.

"Australia Zoo is in the business of making connections between humans and animals...we are helping to forge not only an understanding, but a deep and genuine passion for our precious wildlife in people of all ages and backgrounds," Stephanie said.

Ultimately, Australia Zoo would like to see more people, regardless of their age or backgrounds, with a better understanding and a genuine passion for wildlife in Australia.

"Steve and Terri have always tried to create a hfor exampletened awareness about the problems our wildlife is facing through their documentaries, films, and appearances; and now our pint-sized Wildlife Warrior, Bindi, is helping to spread the conservation message too!"

Situated on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah, Sunshine Coast, Australia Zoo is unlike any other zoo in the world. They have over 1,000 native and exotic animals that are cared for by an army of Wildlife Warriors and a 24-hour wildlife hospital to nurse any sick animals back to health.

Visitors can expect an up close and personal experience with the animals, whether it be cuddling a koala or hand feeding an Asian elephant, or for the more brave-hearted, to walk alongside a Bfor examplel tiger or wrap a snake around their shoulders.

Australia Zoo’s animal accommodation such as the Tiger Temple (built to resemble Cambodia’s famous Ankor Wat temple) is an attraction in itself.

"Tiger Temple is a work of art as well as an architectural first - it boasts the southern hemisphere’s only underwater viewing of tigers and cheetahs."

For upcoming events and more information about Australia Zoo, visit the Australia Zoo website.

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Nominate a business

The Foster Carer Card business discount scheme is a great way for businesses to support our valued foster and kinship carers. By offering foster carers a discount or incentive Queensland businesses recognise the valued contribution carers make to our communities and to the lives of the children and young people they care for.

If there is a business in your local area who offers a service that could help you in your caring duties, please let us know and we will contact them to see if they would be willing to join the scheme.

It is free for a business to join the scheme, which offers them the advantage of free advertising in our business directory, customer loyalty and the knowlfor example that they are helping those who help Queensland’s most vulnerable children and young people.

To nominate a business simply send us the following details and we will contact your nominated business to encourage them to participate:

For further information, to nominate a business or if you are a carer but don’t have a Foster Carer Card, please contact the Foster Carer Card, Program Support Officer on 3224 7565, email , mail Foster Carer Card, GPO Box 806 Brisbane Qld 4000, or via fax 3247 3625.

The Business Directory is available online at www.childsafety.qld.gov.au. Monitor our website for updates of businesses.

Important Notice
Foster Carer Card Business Directory – Correction
Please note the correct phone number for Carfind (Auto – Brokers)
is 1300 306 664.

Please check our website for regular updates to the Business Directory.

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Hints and Tips

Q. Is it true that carers can receive a certain number of hours of free child care each week?

Yes. According to Centrelink’s website:

"The Child Care Benefit helps you with the cost of child care for long day care, family day care, occasional care, outside school hours care, vacation care and registered care.

You may be eligible for Child Care Benefit if:

Guardians, including foster parents and grandparents, responsible for the day-to-day care of children/grandchildren may be eligible for Family Assistance and should contact the Family Assistance Office for more information."

For more information call the Family Assistance Office on 136 150 between 8am and 8pm Monday – Friday.

Q. When will I receive my Carer Handbook?

A. The Department has been updating some information in the carer handbook (specifically Matters of Concern, Money Matters and Legal Matters).

New (revised) Carer Handbooks are now available from your child safety service centre (CSSC).

If you already have a Carer Handbook, please also contact your CSSC for the revised sections to insert in your copy.

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Foster Care Advocacy and Support Team

Foster Care Advocacy and Support Team (FAST) is a team of specially trained local foster carers who have volunteered to provide support and advice and advocate on behalf of other foster carers.

There is a FAST delegate for each area office. In some areas more than one FAST delegate has been selected.

Developmental and support provided to FAST delegates include in-depth information and skills training as well as advice and assistance from an experienced coordinator.

You can find your nearest FAST delegate by contacting Foster Care Queensland.

Foster Care Queensland (within FAST bubble)

Foster Care Queensland (FCQ) provides information, advice, and advocacy to all foster and kinship carers.

FCQ members enjoy further benefits including various social activities and training.

For more information, call FCQ on (07) 3268 5955 or visit the Foster Care Queensland website.

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Foster and Kinship Care Support Line

The Foster and Kinship Carer Support Line provides useful advice and support to carers anywhere in Queensland for the cost of a local call.

Our staff are skilled child safety officers with experience in working with vulnerable children and providing practical information and parenting tips on various issues including:

Call the Support Line on 1300 729 309 during:

Weekdays 5 pm - 11.30 pm
Weekends 7 am - 11.30 pm

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Strategies for parenting pre-teens and teenagers

Any parent can tell you that raising a teenager has its challfor examples. According to Tackling Teens - a new book by Denise Bewert – this is the first generation of parents who have to deal with puberty changes as well as modern technology (such as chat lines, mobile phones and computer games).

"It may be comforting for parents to realise, though, that even in today’s unmapped transition from childhood to adulthood, parents have more power than they may think to influence their child’s choices," Denise said.

Her book aims to steer parents through unfamiliar territory by providing them with a range of strategies on conflict prevention and problem resolution as well as how to avoid misunderstandings that can occur during the eventful period of adolescence.

"Tackling Teens is designed to help parents set up processes and procedures that will foster open and honest family communication," she said.

Part 1 of the book assists parents with setting up open and honest family communication and provides strategies on dealing with, and resolving, conflicts. Part 2 informs parents on a variety of important issues that today’s youth face such as alcohol and drug use, technological devices, relationship conflict, self-harming and school related matters.

Denise is currently a teacher and Guidance Officer with over twenty years experience working with parents and teenagers. She has also completed a cadetship in journalism with a Brisbane metropolitan daily newspaper and even operated a small business. Denise has been a Cairns resident for more than fifteen years and has two daughters.

Tackling Teens costs $19.95 and is available from all leading bookstores.

ISBN: 978 0 9803803 09.

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Child Safety After Hours Service Centre

The Child Safety After Hours Service Centre provides after-hours support to address needs that require an immediate response such as:

The dedicated number for carers is (07) 3235 9901.
Please note this is a confidential number and not for public use.

Members of the public can call (07) 3235 9999 or 1800 177 135.

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It’s important to ‘SpeakOut’

The internet is an integral part of our lives and the worldwide web provides a steady stream of information on topics that vary from the valuable to the not so valuable.

SpeakOut is a not-for-profit organisation providing an innovative and creative means of support to disadvantaged young people.

The organisation conducts training programs to provide the skills, knowlfor example and experience to develop a career in the creative industries such as graphic design, video and music production and art.

The organisation was established in 1995 and in the past 12 years they have established a large network with youth service providers in juvenile justice, schools and alternative education organisations.

SpeakOut are invited to deliver the programs and once they connect with interested young people, they can maximise their chances of a career in the creative industries.

SpeakOut works closely with Indigenous and remote communities and the Stylin’ Up Regional program encourages young people to maintain and celebrate their cultural identity.

This has resulted in Australia’s largest Indigenous music and dance festival for youth.

Tourism is becoming a major industry in rural and remote Queensland and SpeakOut is working closely with Blackall Shire Council to provide youth in the region with the skills to support it. As tourism grows there is a necessity for the creative industries to develop and implement promotional campaigns and associated material.

"Historically, farming and pastoralism are the main industries in the region but tourism is quickly overtaking them," Chief Executive Officer of SpeakOut Allem Ali said.

"It’s not only happening in Blackall either, it’s across rural Queensland, which is great because young people in these communities are being presented with some big opportunities," he said.

SpeakOut intends to provide young people with the skills to make the most of these opportunities with The Centre for Change and Entrepreneurship.

This is a joint initiative with Footsteps Enterprises to establish a regional centre for innovation and excellence in social and creative enterprises and there is a particular focus on Indigenous young people.

The inspiration for establishing the organisation in 1995 was the frustration of ineffective and disempowering social welfare models.

Twelve years later the organisation is providing ongoing opportunities for more than 2000 young people.

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Home alone

Children need to be developmentally ready to assume the responsibility of being home alone. Try and seek alternative options before leaving a child alone as parents are expected to make reasonable decisions about their children’s safety.

Leaving a child at home

Staying home alone is a normal part of developing independence in young people, as they become more adult and independent. The age and maturity of your children will make a difference. Gradually give them chances to practise being by themselves to learn more about accepting responsibility.

For example, the first time they are left alone may be for just an hour, and if all goes well, the lfor exampleh of time may increase in the future.

Do not leave infants, toddlers or young children alone under any circumstance.

What does the law say?

In many cultures it is usual for children to care for brothers and sisters. While different societies have different customs, in Queensland there is a legal obligation for parents to make sure that children are properly looked after.

Parents are expected to provide food, clothing, a place to live, safety and supervision, Family Law Act. 1975.(C’th).

Parents can be charged with an offence if children are left in a dangerous situation and are not fed, clothed or provided with accommodation, Queensland Criminal Code 1899.

The Queensland Police Service or the Department of Communities can remove children from situations where their safety is at risk, Child Protection Act 1999.

Can parents leave older children in charge?

When a child or person under the age of 18 years cares for children, the question of adult/parent negligence or liability could arise. You as a parent may be held responsible for the carer as well as your own children if something goes wrong.

Who will be in charge?

Lack of experience may make it difficult for an older child to take on the responsibility of younger children and find ways to manage the behaviour of others. If you have no choice then it is important that the child left in charge is capable and responsible and that the other children feel safe. This child should be able to stay calm, decide who to phone and know how to handle any disagreements and what to do if the other children ‘play up’, disobey thfor exampleound rules, or are ill.

The oldest child is not always the most capable.

When the time is right

There is a role for your child in choosing when the time is right to be home alone – they may choose to stay at a friend’s rather than be on their own at home.

What you need to consider

There are some important points to be aware of if you’re thinking of leaving your children at home.

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Visit:
Department of Child Safety website
Email:
Phone:
3006 4028

Is your child developmentally ready to assume this responsibility?

In some cultures this responsibility develops early and often it is sometime during adolescence, but always, children need to be well prepared for this responsibility.

How safe is your home?

Accidents happen so quickly. There is an even greater need to check that dangerous things are out of reach if you’re not going to be there.

Are thfor exampleound rules clear?

It is important to be clear about what children can and cannot do and these rules may be different when you are away or when someone else is minding your children. For example, making a hot drink, or using the toaster are simple tasks when you are there but may not be allowed when you’re away. Rules may need to be written and placed on the fridge. Do not assume that your children know the rules. Talk with them about your family rules and help them to understand the reason for these rules. Ask them to tell you what the rules are.

How long will you be away?

How long you are planning to be away will make a difference to what you decide to do. You need to think about the age of your children, how they feel about being left and most importantly how capable they are.

What your child needs to know

If your children are at home by themselves, they should know:

Reminders

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Services for parents and children

Your local library has a range of excellent books on parenting.

Look in your local White Pages for your Queensland Health Community Child Health Service and for information about their parent education courses (Positive Parenting Program - Triple P).

Adapted from information contained in the Parent Easy Guide Series © Parenting SA, Government of South Australia 2000.

Tip Sheets published by the Department of Communities. For reorders phone (07) 3224 4225 if in the Brisbane metropolitan area or 1800 637 711 if outside the metropolitan area.

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Last updated
9 April 2008

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