The Changemaker: Bryan Smith and the Evolution of QFKC
For over three decades, Bryan Smith has emerged as a remarkable advocate, leader, and devoted carer, making waves in the lives of vulnerable children and supporting foster and kinship carers. His unwavering commitment has not only impacted local communities but has also resonated on a national scale.
Bryan’s journey within the Foster and Kinship Care sector began in 1993 when he and his family, opened their hearts and home to children who could not live with their parent. Since that time, Bryan has fostered over 150 children, adopting two of them permanently. Between raising his own family, fostering many others and now taking on the role of kinship carer for his granddaughter and being a grandparent to his other 25 grandchildren Bryan is living busy but fulfilling life. Bryan certainly stands out as a man on a mission, seemingly fuelled by a passion for providing love and stability to every child in care.
Coming from a completely non-related background, Bryan seems to have seamlessly been indoctrinated into working alongside family, child and community as first a volunteer and then in paid employment. His early commitment to advocacy began with Gold Coast Youth Services with the Muyim program for at risk young women with Coordinator and mentor Tracy Acton and then with Churches of Christ Care. Bryan continued volunteering with Foster Care Queensland, now known as Queensland Foster and Kinship Care (QFKC) even after gaining paid employment within the community services sector, demonstrating his dedication to the community’s most vulnerable members. This commitment led him to a pivotal role in 2004 as Executive Director of QFKC, the peak body for foster and kinship carers in Queensland.
Bryan’s leadership has been transformative for QFKC, a team effort that has propelled the organisation to national recognition. His vision for change has been realised through collaborative efforts, ensuring that carers’ voices are not just heard but actively shape policies and practices. Under his stewardship, QFKC became a corporate entity led by a board comprised entirely of foster carers, pioneering an advocacy framework that prioritises the needs and rights of those on the front lines.
A significant achievement during Bryan’s tenure at QFKC has been the establishment of the Foster Care Advocacy and Support Team (FAST). Initially designed to provide essential support to foster carers across Queensland, this initiative bridged communication gaps between carers, government departments, and agencies. In 2022, the program was renamed the Queensland Foster and Kinship Care Support Team, reflecting a broader acknowledgment of the crucial role kinship carers play in the lives of vulnerable children and young people. This name change signifies the organisations commitment to inclusivity and the recognition that every type of carer is vital in ensuring the wellbeing and stability of children in care.
Even after facing personal health challenges, in 2003, Bryan’s work ethic remained unparalleled. He continued to champion the cause of foster and kinship carers, driven by his core belief in the importance of stability and retention within the foster care system. Under his leadership the organisation is committing to increasing the retention rates of foster and kinship carers to continue providing better outcomes for children in care.
A true innovator, Bryan has positioned QFKC as a progressive and influential peak body, not only in Queensland but across Australia. His forward-thinking approach has ensured that kinship carers are treated as equals and has shaped policy and practice throughout the country.
With his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Bryan is more than just a leader; he is a mentor and visionary who understands the unique challenges faced by carers. His integrity and empathy, helps create an environment where carers feel valued and supported and vulnerable children and young people are willing to open and share their stories with him.
Bryan believes in sharing knowledge and has devoted his career to building bridges between carers, agencies, and government, fostering open and honest conversations that empower those who often feel unheard. To speak with Bryan, you soon learn he is a passionate, humble man who believes in the collective for getting the job done right in the best interests of those he serves – the carers and the children and young people in care. Bryan’s legacy in the foster care and kinship sector is undeniable, and his tireless dedication continues to inspire change, making him incredibly deserving as being acknowledged as a changemaker within the sector. Although Bryan will tell you it has been a collaborative journey with the QFKC team, where every voice matters and every child deserves a loving home.