Child and Family Focus SA

So excited to be with Young Consultants and staff from Create at Kindred’s Child and Youth Arts and Culture Forum. A big focus on how the arts can enrich the lives of kids, and the need to focus on improving access for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Great initiative! CREATE Foundation Create Foundation

Really enjoying a Legal Professional Development Day on Child Protection And the Law, organised by Connecting Foster and Kinship Care - SA. Thanks to their great CEO, Fiona Endacott for a day rich with information and opportunities to connect. Program in the comments.

This afternoon we’re recognising the finalists in the Outstanding Service Award: Non-government organisations category of the 2023 South Australian Child Protection Awards.

This Award acknowledges an individual or team’s contribution to providing outstanding services to better care for, and protect, children and young people.

A big thank you to Child and Family Focus SA for sponsoring this Award.

Visit childprotection.sa.gov.au/awards for the full list of finalists. Winners will be announced on Friday 8 September 2023.

Best of luck to the finalists!

There’s so much quality to choose from. Nominate now!

Non-government organisations work hand in hand with the Department for Child Protection SA to keep children and young people safe, loved and nurtured.

Through the SA Child Protection Awards, we want to recognise the NGOs that have delivered outstanding services in the child protection space.

Nominate an NGO you think is making a significant impact by visiting childprotection.sa.gov.au/awards

Nominations close Friday, 9 June 2023.

This Award is proudly sponsored by Child and Family Focus SA.

Today is National Sorry Day.

A day where we remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.

Congratulations and welcome to Jackie Bray, SA’s new Department for Child Protection CEO. Looking forward to developing a strong and productive partnership!

Respected senior public servant Jackie Bray has been selected as the new Chief Executive of South Australia’s Department for Child Protection SA.

Ms Bray, who is currently serving as the Head of the Office for the Early Years within the Department for Education, brings with her a wealth of experience across government, including nearly a decade at the Department for Correctional Services.

Prior to her time at Correctional Services – where she served as Deputy Chief Executive for more than six years – Ms Bray was the Youth Justice Director at the then Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Read more about Ms Bray's appointment:
https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/news/dcp-news2/new-chief-executive-for-the-department-for-child-protection

Vote 1 for Felicity! The People’s Choice Award has launched! The People's Choice aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the Finalists’ achievements.

You can vote once a day, every day until the poll closes on Midnight, Monday 1st April. You just go to the link, click on the face of the person you’d like to vote for, scroll to the bottom of the page and press send.

CAFFSA is encouraging you to consider voting for Felicity Graham. Her activism on behalf of young people with a care experience is awesome and so sorely needed. She launched the not-for-profit Fostering Change Australia to educate, advocate, and change the Child Protection system. Felicity has represented No Capes, a group of young people with care experience, in the co-design of DCP’s Child and Youth Engagement Strategy. She is writing a children’s book, “Oscar’s Layers”, to educate children about child protection and help them cope with big feelings.

Here’s the link! Share with others as well.

POLL: 2023 SA PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD The People’s Choice Award has launched! The People's Choice aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the Finalists’ achievements.The People's Choice Award winner will be announced at the Gala Presentation Dinner Friday 5th May 2023.To find out more about these incredible Finalists, Click here to

Really important report released today on how we can improve the Children and Young People (Safety) Act. Great to see some of the reforms that will be worked though as part of the consultation re drafting the new legislation.

www.childprotection.sa.gov.au

How excellent is this? For all of us that want to plan, deliver and evaluate our services in the best possible way - here’s a handy tool and it’s free!

Evidence of what works for children and families | Menu of Evidence The Menu of Evidence provides searchable and independent information on evidence-based practices and programs that have been demonstrated to improve outcomes for children, young people and families experiencing vulnerability.

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves ❤️🖤💛

I offer my love today to all who are hurting, to Aboriginal sisters and brothers and people for whom this day is one of deep mourning.

I acknowledge Kaurna elders on whose land I am blessed to live. I acknowledge elders of every Aboriginal nation.

And I acknowledge that change is needed, that whilst we have advanced toward reconciliation, we have a long way to go on our journey.

The journey that we traverse toward reconciliation must include a national, mature, respectful conversation about change -

a conversation about what we celebrate and when

a conversation about the depth of our collective understanding and respectful recognition that for some, 26 January is so difficult

a conversation that contemplates and honours that for 60,000+ years, the oldest continuous culture on the planet has called this beautiful place home

a conversation that reflects on how our community is strengthened and enriched by our cultural diversity and the many different journies that bring people here to build their lives - some yesterday, some a few
Generations ago

a conversation about a change of date to one that we can all embrace and celebrate

a conversation about change and a journey that brings us all closer together, that does not divide but unites us.

Thank you very much to the many carers who provided individual submissions to the Foster and Kinship Carer Inquiry, and to the thousands of carers who do so much with and for children and young people in this State, opening their hearts, homes and lives to them.

All of the recommendations are being actively considered. Any that will require legislative reform will be referred to the review of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017. We will also act to progress recommendations relating to care concerns, flexibility in respite care and the establishment of a Carer Council.

I again thank carers and their representatives and other stakeholders for their submissions. I look forward to speaking further with them about the report and next steps at upcoming forums to be held in January.

Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers - SA Inc
Project
Grandparents for Grandchildren

Congratulations Leanne!

Leanne Haddad appointed Director - Centacare Child protection and family support services specialist Leanne Haddad has been appointed Director of Centacare Catholic Family Services. Archbishop of Adelaide Patrick O’Regan today announced Leanne will commence in the […]

Professor Sarah Wendt and Dr Kate Seymour from Flinders University speaking on the publication of their new text ‘Difficult Conversations: Responding to Domestic and Family Violence.’

ACSA Community of Practice 2022.

Very pleased and proud to be hosting and supporting the final Australian Children’s Safety Alliance (ACSA) community of practice meeting for 2022. Convener Michael Hawke from Anglicare SA presenting on the journey from 2103 to today.

If we get early childhood right, we give our children their strongest future.

CAFFSA CEO Rob Martin often has things to say. It appears on this occasion he had reason to sing.

SA Child Protection Awards 2022. A brilliant event attended by spectacular people.

Such an honour.

CAFFSA was delighted to join with colleagues from SALHN today for the Child Protection Week Event ‘Every Child in Every Community Needs a Fair Go.’

We were particularly pleased to stop and chat with Minister Katrine Hildyard about our current consultations with the NGO sector on the review of the Child and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.

Listening to the Hon Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Child Protection speaking at Flinders Medical Centre suggesting we view child abuse as a public health emergency - meaning every organisation and every person intrinsically has a role to play.

Free Series: The Latest Interventions for Treating Trauma A 5-Module Series on the Treatment of Trauma

Looks like an exciting event!

Free Series: The Latest Interventions for Treating Trauma A 5-Module Series on the Treatment of Trauma

🦋 It’s Weight Stigma Awareness Week. ❤️ Butterfly Foundation 🦋

We live in a diet-culture, health, weight and appearance-obsessed society, where fatphobia and weight stigma has developed, evolved and thrived to the point it has become engrained and systemic.

The multi-billion-dollar diet and weight loss industry has also conditioned us to believe that you can gauge someone’s health status just by looking at their appearance or body size.

This is false, harmful and contributes to debilitating and unjust stereotypes surrounding larger bodies.
🦋
Weight Stigma Awareness Week is dedicated to highlighting the harms of weight stigma, sharing lived experience, and acknowledging we all have a role to play when it comes to reducing weight stigma and discrimination in society.

This week and beyond, we’ll be encouraging you to unpack your thoughts and beliefs around weight, and extend compassion and respect to those who have been oppressed, discriminated against and negatively impacted by weight stigma.
💙
Reach out and get support – if you are impacted by an eating disorder or body image concern, we’re here to listen. Call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673), chat online or email [email protected] for free and confidential advice and counselling.

CREATE is calling for Expression of Interest to help co-design a Mentoring Program.

👉Are you aged 15-25 years, and have completed CREATE’s Speak Up Program (SUP) Level 1?
👉Do you feel confident to share your ideas and provide feedback?
👉Do you want to speak up and have your voice heard to help CREATE make the out-of-home care system better for all children and young people?

If you answered YES to these questions, why don’t you nominate yourself as a member of our National Reference Group for the co-design of a Mentoring Program Model.

Read more about the group and apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/2GSmU5jS2s

Young people from vulnerable families or in care can experience the death by su***de of someone they care about too. Here’s some useful tips from Lifeline to helping them through.

People bereaved by su***de may experience a wide range of emotions and they need to be reassured that they are not alone. It is vital that, as individuals and communities we respond to people bereaved by su***de with compassion and continue to support them through their grief.
Here is a short guide on the do’s and don’ts when speaking to someone bereaved by su***de:

DO
• Acknowledge the death as soon as you can
• Allow emotions to be expressed
• Talk about the deceased and your memories with them
• Provide empathetic and non-judgemental support
• Encourage positive activities

DON’T
• Don’t ask for details
• Don’t avoid talking about the person who has died
• Don’t say things such as “They’ve gone to a better place” or “They’re at peace now”
• Don’t say things such as “You need to move on”
• Don’t presume you know how others feel

For support, contact Lifeline via our phone service on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days) or via our online text service 0477 13 11 14 or chat service (https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat) (also 24 hours, 7 days).

Still thinking about the presentation on the weekend where Australian research proves positive experiencea will improve outcomes for all children - including those who have experienced adverse childhood experiences or trauma. Here are the four factors we heard about and the International and National Foster Care Conference.

We know adverse childhood events are harmful. But positive childhood experiences protect adult mental health, Dr Robert Sege MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine studies found in a population study in 2015.

Hearing from Paul McDonald, Anglicare Victoria about the great outcomes the UK, Canada, the US and NZ are getting by supporting young people (unlike many in Australia) by fully extending care from 18 to 21 years. Here’s some of them. They’re just things every Australian parent would want for their kids.

Welcome to country, saltwater people of Larrakia Nation style. Getting my feet wet, just like foster and kinship carers do every day, caring for kids and young people whose parents are too vulnerable to do so. Watch this space for updates from the International and National Foster Care Conference in Darwin!

CAFFSA was pleased to attend a few of DCP’s Consultations on the legislative review of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act.

Here’s our Policy and Advocacy Lead and Deputy CEO, Melissa Gibson participating at Club Marion with a range of government and non-government agencies.

Time to speak up. Time to ask the questions. This looks amazing! Tamara from Wonky Lines Counselling will be going to the session on Monday 26 Sept at Kura Yerlo. See you there! 🙌🏽

In our latest podcast, we talk with Dr Zac Seidler, the Director of Mental Health Training at Movember Australia

Zac is a clinical psychologist, researcher and leading men’s mental health expert, and along with his work at Movember is a Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne, dedicating his academic and professional career to men’s mental health and masculinity. His goal is to help reduce the staggering rate of male su***de worldwide.

Through his research, Dr Seidler has advocated for a change in the way we think about treating men’s distress, with a focus on creating mental health services that account for masculinity.

This has evolved into a fully funded project, Men in Mind, the world’s first training program for mental health clinicians to help them better understand and respond to men’s distress and suicidality.

Listen on our website in the below link, or wherever you access your podcasts.

http://ow.ly/njuZ50K5ZqI

This week is National Child Protection Week.

Child and Family Focus believes that every child, in every community needs a fair go.

This week, we are pleased and proud to be supporting the South Australian Child Protection Awards in recognition of the enormous efforts that are underway in all quarters of our communities to keep our children safe.

https://www.napcan.org.au/get-involved-2022/

Get Involved - NAPCAN In 2022, National Child Protection Week will continue to embrace the overarching message that ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’. In particular, this year we will be shining a light on children growing up safe and supported.

💥GUESS WHAT! It's competition time again on the Sortli App.

You need to find the $200 Uber Eats Voucher hidden in one of the life domains on the app for your chance to go into the draw to win 1 of 2 x $200 Uber Eats Vouchers! Once you find it, screenshot or send the location to [email protected]. It's that easy.

📲It's free to download, stacked with awesome advice when it comes to transitioning to adulthood and has cool competitions.😎 GOOD LUCK!

Power to Kids was developed by MacKillop Family Services in collaboration with the The University of Melbourne to prevent child sexual exploitation, harmful sexual behaviour and dating violence in out of home care.

The Foster Care Evaluation Report will be held on Wednesday 7 September at 3.15pm via Zoom.

The evaluation has been conducted by Dr Gemma McKibbin, The University of Melbourne who will present on the positive findings. The report will officially be launched by The Hon. Colin Brooks, Victorian Minister for Child Protection and Family Services. We will also hear from Liana Buchanan, Victorian Commissioner for Children and Young People, and CEO of the Centre Deb Tsorbaris, as well as foster carers and case workers who participated in the pilot.

No need to register, just join via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83467837224

CAFFSA Out of Home Care Workforce Mapping Project Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

Time’s nearly up to participate in the CAFFSA OOHC Workforce Mapping Survey and go in the draw to win one of 5 x $50 vouches!

CAFFSA has been funded by Skills SA (Department of Education) to conduct a sector mapping exercise to identify key challenges faced by the non-government child safety workforce and identify current gaps that are needed to equip the sector with the skills, expertise and knowledge required to improve outcomes of children, young people and families in South Australia.

We are interested to hear the views of a range of staff in SA that work within the OOHC sector including frontline workers/case workers, team leaders, managers, executives, HR, Finance, and CEO’s.

Survey closes COB 29th August
Winners will be contacted Friday 2nd September

CAFFSA Out of Home Care Workforce Mapping Project Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

We were proud and pleased to join with Life Without Barriers, The Reily Foundation and Dana Shen of DS Consultancy yesterday to host a Peer Parent and Family Support Advocacy Forum.

How can we, as a sector, strengthen and support the peer parent support for families connected with child protection systems?

What would it take to really value, support and build the capacity of peer parent support workers?

These were the questions of the day.

A panel of lived experience experts shared deeply their sense of ‘what works’ in supporting parents to better support their children when child protection systems are involved.

Expertly and respectfully facilitated by Dana Shen, this forum marks the first of many more to come.

The CAFFSA OOHC Workforce Mapping Survey is now OPEN and we have 5 x $50 vouches up for grabs!

CAFFSA has been funded by Skills SA (Department of Education) to conduct a sector mapping exercise to identify key challenges faced by the non-government child safety workforce and identify current gaps that are needed to equip the sector with the skills, expertise and knowledge required to improve outcomes of children, young people and families in South Australia.

We are interested to hear the views of a range of staff in SA that work within the OOHC sector including frontline workers/case workers, team leaders, managers, executives, HR, Finance, and CEO’s.

Survey closes COB 29th August
Winners will be contacted Friday 2nd September

CAFFSA Out of Home Care Workforce Mapping Project Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.