This week we celebrate Kinship Care Week (2-6 September), and the generosity and commitment of kinship carers to making a positive impact in the lives of young Victorians.
Kinship care is when a family member, close friend or other significant person cares for a child or young person when they cannot live with their parents. Kinship care enables children to stay with people who are familiar to them, to help maintain their connection to family, community and culture.
As the preferred model of care for children who cannot live with their parents, kinship carers care for thousands of children and young people across Victoria on any given day. It’s a way to help keep families and community together during tough times.
As part of the Victorian Government’s support for kinship carers, the Care Support Help Desk is now an ongoing service that has already helped over 4600 children, young people and carers access important documentation and get the support they need.
Kinship carers can also access the Carer KaFÉ, which provides a range of online and in-person learning and development opportunities to carers.
The Victorian Government is also piloting the ‘Education Support for Children in Care’ program in four locations, providing one-on-one tutoring for children and young people in care who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from school.
To better support the wellbeing of young people, the Victorian Government is introducing the ‘Pathways to Good Health’ program, which will involve a health needs assessment and health management plan developed for all children and young people entering care by mid 2025.
For more information, visit https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/kinship-care.