As Kinship Care is a rapidly growing area within the social sector, the need for Carers has increased. In 2020 Kummara and Infinity Community Solutions (KICS) were granted funding for the KICS Kinship and Foster Care Service (KICS KFC) with a child and young person centred, whole of family focused out of home care service resting on the foundation practice framework of the Family Partnership Model (FPM). They are currently seeking expressions of interest for people who would like to learn more about becoming a Kinship Carer.
Becoming a Kinship Carer can be a daunting task but when you have the right support from an agency that can provide leadership, flexibility and a safe space where you can ask questions, you can get on with doing what you set out to do in the first place. Providing a home for a child where they can remain connected to family, community and culture.
This is what one Carer recently told KICS when asked about her experience with KICS KFC.
KICS KFC works with children and young people (0 to 18 years) who require a statutory out of home care placement, with primary/short break Kinship and Foster Carers or extended kin families. The program is a collaboration with the whole family including parents and extended family, to secure a stable and enduring kinship and foster care placement while it is required.
KICS is committed to working in a culturally competent way while providing a whole of family focused out of home care service resting on the foundation practice framework of the Family Partnership Model (FPM). This has meant providing individual levels of support for carers and children, being flexible in our approach to ensure stability of placement, undertaking kin mapping to find and engage extended family and forming strong partnerships in community.
While KICS KFC remains separate from the Department, they work alongside government, NGO, Indigenous services and non-Indigenous service providers to meet a family’s needs. By being well networked and knowledgeable on processes, KICS KFC are able to offer carers reassurance and support that they will receive regular updates on a child’s care plan and also be someone whom the carer can come to bounce questions off.
The KICS KFC approach is to support carers to enable them to best meet the child’s needs. Knowing they are not alone and providing reassurance allows carers to focus on providing an opportunity for the child in their care to have a sense of belonging through connection.
If you have considered becoming a Kinship or Foster Carer, contact KICS KFCS today for more information.