Released 28/06/2024
Kinship and foster carers provide vital care and support to some of Canberra’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Recognising the critical role they play, the ACT Government is developing a Charter for Carers involved with ACT child protection services (Charter for Carers).
The Charter for Carers will complement and work alongside the existing Charter for Parents and Families involved with ACT child protection services and the Charter of Rights for Kids in Care, ensuring consistency across standards of behaviours in all groups.
Minister for Children, Youth and Family Services Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT Government is working to build trust and transparency across the child protection system under Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030 - the ACT Strategy for strengthening families and keeping children and young people safe.
“We are developing the Charter for Carers to ensure that carers receive the same level of recognition and respect as parents, families, and children in the ACT child protection system,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“It is important that carers are a part of the decision-making process, so we are encouraging kinship and foster carers and any other interested parties to share their feedback, to ensure the draft Charter for Carers resonates with those it has been developed to support and empower.
“Kinship and Foster carers play a critical role in our child protection system, helping to keep children and young people safe and connected and helping them to live their best lives. The Charter is just part of our work to make the system fairer, more accountable, and more transparent for everyone involved.”
The draft Charter for Carers focuses on the expectations and responsibilities unique to carers, aligning with the Government’s obligations and commitments under the Carer Recognition Act 2021.
Its development has drawn on the Community Services Directorate’s ongoing engagement with kinship and foster carers, advocates and representative organisations.
Subject to the passage of legislation currently before the Legislative Assembly, the Charter for Carers will be registered as a notifiable instrument, along with the Charter for Parents and Families involved with ACT child protection services and the Charter of Rights for Kids in Care.
This public declaration of the standards is aimed at ensuring consistent expectations for all parties, as well as providing long-term stability and accessibility.
To provide feedback visit the YourSay consultation page at https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/charter-carers-involved-act-child-protection-services
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Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases