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Volunteering in the fast lane Grants
PLUS CREATE Voices in Action conference
New Netball SA partnership
KAravan Klub supports carers
Mother of three young boys Shannel Bartley had already broken the cycle and was now ready to give back.
But she was having trouble with her studies – a Certificate III in Early Education and Care through TAFE.
Then she was told about the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust.
The trust supports young people with a care experience through grants to achieve personal goals or provide developmental opportunities.
That can include items like a fridge to set up a new home, or funding for sporting or career opportunities.
For Shannel, now 28, it was $900 for a computer and printer for her studies.
“I was having trouble studying,” she said. “So, I thought why not, and applied.
“Now I can study at home with my kids.”
Shannel was in full-time foster care from the age of seven, until she transitioned out of the system at 18.
“So pretty much the majority of my life,” she said.
“I went through some pretty traumatic experiences in care.
Did
And remember,
“Now I have three kids of my own and have broken the cycle. I want the best for them.”
The boys are aged four, five and eight, and each has a disability.
“I wanted to support kids who need a little extra support in their lives like my kids do,” she said.
“I just want to do something good with my life.”
And while Shannel is half-way hrough her year-long course, the studies are already starting to pay off.
“I’ve already had some job opportunities,” she said. “So, it’s been really amazing and rewarding.”
Young people under the age of 30 with a care experience can apply for a Dame Roma Mitchell Trust grant from the DCP website
The next round opens 19 August.
stories, provide an opportunity for the children and young people in their care to bond, and most of all support each other.
Dear sector colleagues
Welcome to the new-look June edition of our Partner newsletter, aimed at better informing you, our partners, of what’s been happening at the Department for Child Protection.
The goal is to make the department more accessible, and to highlight the outstanding work that is being done in the sector.
This edition features 19-year-old Peter Griffiths from Pete’s Tasty Treats, who was a recipient of a grant from our partner, the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust.
The trust assists young people transitioning out of the care system, and Pete’s story about his little bakery is one of resilience and courage.
Then there is our new partnership with Netball SA, in which young people are given the opportunity to pursue their sporting dreams.
All up 18 young people in care joined 350 other children for the Adelaide Thunderbirds School Holiday Clinic at Netball SA Stadium in Mile End.
It’s hoped more will take part in future clinics as the partnership grows.
Our partner KWY Aboriginal Corporation has also been declared a Recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisation (RATSIO).
This landmark announcement creates greater opportunities for Aboriginal families and communities to lead and inform decision making about their children and young people.
Another wonderful story is the KAravan Klub, which provides valuable connection for Key Assets foster carers.
The club’s 60-odd members – organised by foster carer Glenn Smith - have met at camp grounds around the state five times over the past year or so.
They swap stories, provide an opportunity for the children and young people in their care to bond, and most of all support each other. Well done to everyone involved.
And finally we highlight an important partnership with Operation Flinders Foundation.
Its Adventure Mentoring program is providing one-on-one outdoor activities for two dozen children and young people in care over the first two terms of the school year.
Ngaityala (thank you – Kaurna)
A new partnership between DCP and Netball SA is giving young people in care an opportunity to chase their sporting dreams.
All up 18 young people in care joined 350 other children for the Hospital Research Foundation Group Adelaide Thunderbirds School Holiday Clinic at Netball SA Stadium in Mile End.
It’s hoped more will take part in future clinics as the partnership grows.
Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei said the clinics were open to players at beginner, development and foundation levels.
“They were having a great time,” she said of the children in care.
“It’s welcoming and inclusive.”
“For some kids it can be the first time they’ve caught a ball.”
Bronwyn said the involvement of the Thunderbirds was very popular.
“It just gives the young players something to aspire to,” she said.
“And they (Thunderbirds) love it because that’s where they came from.
“Those same sorts of clinics – they love giving back.”
Carer Diane, who has cared for 16 young people, said 10-year-old Sophie* was initially reluctant to take part in the clinics, largely because of a lack of confidence.
But she noticed from the stands Sophie quickly started to enjoy herself.
“All my kids play sport,” Diane said.
“I said to her, ‘you’re enjoying this now aren’t you?’ She said ‘yeah, I am’.”
Carer Cass said this was also 10-year-old Amber’s* first foray into the game.
Cass and Maree, who both have a passion for sport and particularly netball, have been caring for Amber for the past nine years.
They were both also watching proudly from the stands.
“This is her first time,” Cass said. “Now she’s giving us the thumbs up.” Amber is very active, and also takes part in athletics, ten-pin bowling and horse riding.
Cass said they were particularly grateful to DCP for its efforts.
“We’ve got great (social) workers,” she said. “They go above and beyond”
Cass and Maree also provide respite care for a girl in residential care, a weekend each fortnight.
Bronwyn said Netball SA would work with DCP to give the young people who attended the clinics the opportunity to also attend a Thunderbirds game.
“We’d be honoured to host them,” she said.
“And the Thunderbirds would love to have them in the house.”
*Not their real names.
For some kids it can be the first time they’ve caught a ball
Thunderbirds Lucy Austin and Tayla Williams
Sharing a personal journey takes immense courage...
DCP CE Jackie Bray gives the closing address at the CREATE Voices in Action conference
The CREATE Foundation Voices in Action conference conducted at the Adelaide Showgrounds has been hailed a huge success.
The conference, held over three days, attracted almost 500 delegates from across Australia and overseas, including Hong Kong and New Zealand.
CREATE State Co-ordinator Laura Hooper said there were many take-aways from the conference, and that the key foundation would be to finalise the draft delegate statement that was developed at the conference to formally outline what was learned.
“From what was fed back to us, the children and young people felt they were heard,” Laura said.
“There was particular interest surrounding residential care, sibling connection and education.
“They are the prominent issues happening for them.”
Laura said having a face to face conference was enhanced with speaking opportunities for young people and direct connections with stakeholders after the last conference was forced online by the pandemic. “The young people were more open to speak, face to face,” she said.
“The lived-experience sessions always have the most impact.”
Department for Child Protection Chief Executive Jackie Bray, who gave the closing address for the conference and attended two of three days, extended her gratitude for the enthusiasm of the delegates, many of whom were young people.
“The three days provided a critical opportunity for individuals from all facets of the child protection sector to join forces and hear first-hand from our most important stakeholders,” she said.
“Listening to our children and young people with a lived care experience and using these learnings to inform system reform and positive change is essential.
“Sharing a personal journey takes immense courage and I want to thank those who have so generously shared their experiences for the benefit of attendees, but also for giving a voice to the experiences of other children and young people in care who couldn’t be here.”
Jackie said the goal is not only to improve the system, but to reshape it collaboratively, with the invaluable insights provided by those who have lived through its challenges and triumphs.
“The department is taking the next step in embedding child and youth engagement by developing a framework that will ensure children and young people with a care experience are influential in child protection policy development and service design,” she said.
“The partnership between DCP and CREATE continues to work on a range of initiatives including improved supports for care leavers.
“The tireless advocacy that the CREATE Foundation provides is so valuable and greatly appreciated.”
Jackie said the conference is more than just a discussion, and hoped delegates left not only inspired but motivated to translate what was learned into concrete actions.
“We must commit ourselves to tangible changes in policy, practice, and attitudes and building solutions to create a brighter and more stable future for every child in care,” she said.
“We must also make sure that hearing the voices of children and young people is central to our everyday practice, not just a yearly endeavour.”
We want to facilitate that change of mindset for them... a bit of blue sky.
Abseiling into Onkaparinga Gorge
A new pilot program in partnership with Operation Flinders is prioritising one-on-one outdoor adventure training for dozens of children and young people in care.
The Adventure Mentoring program kicked off at the beginning of the school year.
A dozen children and young people took part last term, and another 12 this term.
Operation Flinders Chief Executive David Wark said each participant had two to three hours a week of personal mentoring for 10 weeks.
They are taking part in activities including kayaking, mountain bike riding, abseiling, and hiking, depending on their skill level and interests.
“It might be just walking around a park,” David said.
“It depends on the young person. We want them to guide us.
“We want to take them on a journey of selfdiscovery. Hopefully, they’ll then have the skill sets that can be applied in all sorts of environments.”
Operation Flinders has been conducting outdoor mentoring programs for the past 30 years.
Its core eight-day program is held in the northern Flinders Ranges, where young people trek up to 100km.
Activities on the trek include abseiling, experiencing Aboriginal culture and bushcraft, with the goal of building self-confidence.
Rohan Bennett, DCP’s acting Executive Director for Service Delivery and Practice, said the new pilot program was fully supported by the department for terms one and two.
“The weekly adventure-based activities will be fine-tuned for each child,” Rohan said. “Young people will be identified who have an interest and a capacity to take part. They’ll then have the opportunity to take part in Operation Flinders’ eight-day trek in the Far North, and then the foundation’s leadership program.”
The course leaders for the Adventure Mentoring program are largely drawn from that core program.
“We had 110 applicants for the three or four positions,” David said. “We reckon we’ve got some really talented people on board, who need a mix of social work and outdoor education skills.”
David said the goal was for the participants to enjoy themselves, and learn something positive about themselves.
“These young people are in circumstances not of their choosing,” he said. “We want them to feel that they’ve got a good future, and hopefully find: ‘I didn’t think I was able to do that – maybe there are some other things I can do’.
“We want to facilitate that change of mindset for them … a bit of blue sky.”
If you would like to become a volunteer mentor like Nathan, the Sammy D Foundation would love to hear from you.
A shared passion for exotic cars is helping a selfless DCP social worker mentor a teenager.
Nathan Kelton, who has just joined the Assessment, Support and Protective Intervention Team at DCP’s Blair Athol office, has been volunteering as a community mentor with the Sammy D Foundation, a violence prevention charity, for the past three years.
Most of that time was while Nathan completed his Masters in Social Work and sought a career with DCP.
“We both really love cars,” Nathan said of the now 17-yearold Josh. “We go to car show yards around town and go out car spotting. “It allows me to talk to him about issues that are affecting him.
“My job is to be accepting and I hope the three hours I spend with him each week give him something positive.”
Nathan said the pair often visit the local Ferrari and McLaren dealerships, and a Japanese car importer at Mt Barker. Last year they won a hot lap with a Mustang at The Bend through the Sammy D Foundation. But their favourite spot is Richmonds classic car dealership in Richmond.
‘We’re always there,” Nathan said. “They’re great – they say ‘oh, you guys again’. “We’re always having a chat to the sales worker to see when the next shipment is due.”
Nathan, 27, came relatively late to social work, and DCP. He started his working life at Ikea in HR while he studied psychology. Then he worked in logistics at a furniture company, and then on the hardship team at a bank.
It was there Nathan decided to shift focus.
He started his masters and received university placements with DCP, most recently last August in the call centre with the Crisis Response Unit. He joined the ASPI team in December.
“I just really, really enjoyed helping people” he said of his move into social work.
“I identified I wanted to give power back to people who were struggling and felt limited where I was.
“I wanted to come to the department and help the people who are some of the most disadvantaged in the community.
“It’s still really early and I’m still learning the ropes but I feel like I’m extremely well supported and what I do is right in line with what I wanted to do with my life.
“I have the resources here and I’m able to support these families and find the strengths within them.”
In the meantime, Nathan wants to continue volunteering with the Sammy D Foundation until Josh turns 18, and hopes to keep helping as long as the teenager wants.
And there’s always that dream of one day owning his own exotic car. “I drive a Honda Accord now,” he said. “So I’m more of a window shopper.”
Josh and his mentor Nathan Kelton pictured opposite.
Laticia Cox may have recently turned 18, but to everyone who knows her, she’s already a force of nature.
From the time she came into care at the age of 11, she’s been determined to find her own way.
That included finding her own carer.
“I ran away from my dad’s, and my mother said she wasn’t in the best position to support me either,” Laticia said.
“So, I said can you drop me around Aunty Tracy’s please?”
Laticia still lives with Aunty Tracy – who was a family friend – and remains forever grateful for her and her family’s support.
“I had a rough upbringing,” Laticia said. “It was very turbulent and I missed a lot of primary school.
“But I decided to reach for the stars and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved.”
And Laticia’s achievements are many.
She was named Paralowie High’s year-12 student of the year when she graduated last year, also winning the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership award, and the Muriel Matters award for her advocacy.
In 2022 she was named Vocational, Education and Training (VET) Student of the Year and became a VET ambassador.
She advocates for the Rainbow Community, actively champions for LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, and tutors students in English and history.
At the age of 15, she sailed on tall ship, the One and All, and continued to volunteer on board mentoring other young people.
Youth Opportunities, which is a mentoring organisation for young people, has also been a focal point for Laticia.
There she helps young people in its leadership program and has developed into a public speaker in great demand.
Recently Laticia spoke at Youth Opportunities’ Stars in the Garden event.
A local businessman in the audience was so impressed, he offered Youth Opportunities a $5000 donation if Laticia would give the same talk to his colleagues.
“He said the message I had was the message he wanted his workmates to hear,” Laticia said. “I’ve been told I’m the poster child for resilience – I’ve learned when you get an opportunity, it’s better to say yes than no.”
I’ve been told I’m the poster child for resilience – I’ve learned when you get an opportunity, it’s better to say yes than no...
Laticia still has a strong relationship with both her parents, and her three younger brothers and sister.
All but one brother are in care.
She also has two foster brothers and a foster sister, who she still lives with.
Laticia said her relationship with the department had started out rocky, but had grown over the years.
She is particularly grateful to her caseworker Rebecca Denton. Rebecca is in awe of Laticia’s drive, and her achievements.
“She says it’s because she’s had the same social worker for the past five years,” Rebecca said laughing. “But I think she had it all in herself.”
Rebecca said Laticia had a list of goals from the age of 15, which included getting a Working with Children Check, her first aid certificate and sailing on the One and All.
“That really made her, I think,” Rebecca said. “She told me from the outset she wanted to be a psychologist or social worker.
“She wanted to help families like hers. She’s a really amazing person.”
Late last year, the department funded a trip to Nashville in the United States so that Laticia could visit her maternal aunt, renowned bluegrass singer Kristy Cox.
“It was so nice to see her,” Laticia said. “We got to hang out. I tried all the American fast food, and it was horrible.
“We travelled to the Great Smokey Mountains and stayed in a beautiful log cabin, and went to (theme park) Dollyworld, which was amazing.
It was all about keeping that family connection, which is one of the most important things.”
The future is bright for Laticia – she’s been accepted into the psychology honours program at Flinders University and plans to become a social worker.
“It’s exciting,” she said. “It’s a new chapter in my life.”
Big sky … The Great Smokey Mountains
The sight of two young girls excited about the smell of fresh bedsheets was a powerful moment in Margie’s decades spent as a foster carer.
Margie and her husband Gary (pictured) have been carers for more than 30 years, having looked after 107 children in South Australia, and about another 200 when they lived in the Northern Territory.
The Yorke Peninsula couple adopted two children after they were unable to conceive, and have since cared for children in the SA and the NT, mostly on short-term and respite foster care arrangements.
“I can remember these two girls who came into our care – they were very busy and just ran around the house like little rabbits,” Margie says.
“They took off through the house investigating, as kids do, and one of the girls said, ‘Come here’, and we went to see what was going on.
“The youngest one had the bed sheets all pulled back and said, ‘Smell these sheets…that smells so good’.
“Most kids would be looking for the toys but not these girls – they were lying on the bed sniffing sheets.”
Margie, 67, and Gary, 71, are supported by Uniting Country SA, which hosted a celebration for the pair as they retired from their role as foster carers. Margie says they love being around children and are driven by the belief that all deserve an equal chance in life.
“Kids don’t have a choice about which family they’re born into,” she says. “Sometimes the circumstances for parents change too, and they can’t do the great job that they set out to do.”
Margie and Gary keep in touch with many of the children they’ve cared for, who still call them Nan and Pop. They often receive phone calls about their school achievements – or from young people looking to chat about life events, such as relationship break-ups.
Margie encourages others who have considered
foster care to take the next step.
“Having the kids here is our life, it’s our passion – we get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Kids just enjoy the sense of being part of a family,” she says.
Uniting Country SA chief executive officer Dr Harry Randhawa said the couple’s commitment to children in care and regional communities was “exemplary”.
“Margie and Gary are real life super heroes for providing a safe and loving environment for over 300 young people,” he said. “On behalf of Uniting Country SA, I send my profound gratitude and wish them a wonderful retirement.”
Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard said the extraordinary impact Margie and Gary have made over years of foster caring will ripple through generations.
“Margie and Gary exemplify generosity and what is meant by people having ‘big hearts’.
To have opened their home and life to so many children and young people over the past three decades and to have provided such love, care, safety and nurture is utterly inspiring,” she said.
“I wholeheartedly thank them for their kindness.
“It has changed the lives of so many young people and it has strengthened our community.
“I wish Margie and Gary the very best in their well deserved retirement.”
“They can retire with the knowledge that they have made an immense difference to the happiness and wellbeing of hundreds of young people who needed the love and care they so generously provided.”
Picture: Uniting Care
I like baking because it’s my favourite thing to do. I love my business. I would love to own a kitchen one day...Pete from Pete’s Tasty Treats and his mentor Sam Hahn
All Peter Griffiths wanted was a job. But his disability and the Covid-19 pandemic just seemed to stifle his every move.
So Pete, who grew up in foster care, made a decision that would profoundly change his life – he created his own.
Now Pete, 19, with the help of his mentor Sam Hahn, has a successful micro business, running a bakery out of the kitchen in the home he still shares with long-term carer Belinda.
He’s been inundated with orders for his cupcakes, birthday cakes, slices and biscuits, and is considering expanding to supply local cafes.
“I keep very busy – I’m cooking every day,” he said. “I like baking because it’s my favourite thing to do. I love my business.
“I would love to own a kitchen one day, but it’s very expensive.”
Pete was given a helping hand when he received a grant from the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust, which assists young people to transition out of the care system.
The trust has now distributed more than $1 million in grants since the Department for Child Protection took responsibility for the fund in 2018.
Pete plans to buy a portable fridge and other items for his business.
“I’m grateful and thankful (to the Trust),” he said. “It’s very helpful.”
Pete’s carer of 12 years Belinda said the turning point came for Pete when he took part in a program with disability support provider Rapid Enterprise Development, about setting up a micro business.
“They asked him what he wanted to do,” she said. “He wanted to create sausage rolls but you need a professional kitchen for that, so he decided to make cakes, slices and biscuits.
“He’s been absolutely inundated. He’s got 2500 followers on Facebook, so it’s going very well.
“People place their orders and he makes them.”
Belinda, who Pete calls his mum, also cares for a 10-year-boy, who lives with a disability as well.
“They’re like brothers,” she said proudly.
The DRMT grants - which are in their 21st year - are assessed on a case-by-case basis. The grants provide opportunities for young people aged under 30 with a care experience to achieve personal goals, contribute to health and wellbeing, and provide developmental opportunities.
More information on the grants, including eligibility and how to apply, can be found here
Pete’s Tasty Treats can be found on Facebook and Instagram.
There is a strong a sense of community not only for the carers, but also the kids.
A group of dedicated and hard-working foster carers has developed an innovative support network based around their passion for camping.
The KAravan Klub was formed last year and has so far met five times at campgrounds around the state, most recently at Goolwa in the April school holidays.
Organiser Glenn Smith said he regularly camped with extended family and thought it would be a good idea if other foster carers became involved.
He established a WhatsApp group, and 35 people including 20 young people travelled to Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley in January last year.
They’ve since met at Tanunda, also in the Barossa, at Goolwa, and in January back at Nuri’.
Members of the KAravan Klub are supported by non-government care provider Key Assets (whence the ‘KA’ in KAravan), which is a partner of the Department for Child Protection.
Glenn and his wife Jan are long-term carers for siblings aged 13 and 15. They’re also respite carers for their other siblings aged 16 and 17.
He said the campers – particularly the core group – had developed a strong connection.
“Every night we get around each other and have a chat,” Glenn said. “We look after each other and the kids look after each other.
“I think the support stuff is very important. We all understand the problems, and the more you talk to people the more you understand their problems.”
Michael Ainsworth, State Director of Key Assets, said one of the most pleasing factors about the KAravan Klub is it’s been community led.
“Watching it continue to grow has been amazing and the inclusivity and positivity for the group to welcome new members has been a big factor in this,” he said.
“There is a strong a sense of community not only for the carers, but also the kids.
“One of the biggest highlights is just the natural and organic connection for the kids in a fun and relaxing environment.
“The concept has a lot of potential to expand with other foster care providers.”
The KAravan Klub now has about 60 members.
And while the networking is important, Glenn said the KAravan Klub is primarily for the children.
“It works for the kids,” he said. “They love it. “They’re all friends, and we try to make it as good as we can for them.”
“It’s all about support, and the most support there is for the kid is the carer.”
Together, we share the goal of ensuring children grow up with family, feeling safe, loved, and connected with their culture and Country.
Picture: KWY Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer Craig Rigney
KWY Aboriginal Corporation has been declared a Recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisation (RATSIO).
This landmark announcement creates greater opportunities for Aboriginal families and communities to lead and inform decision making about their children and young people.
KWY Aboriginal Corporation will work in partnership with the Department for Child Protection to generate improved outcomes for children and young people in contact with the child protection and family support system.
This includes focusing on Aboriginal children and young people growing up safely in family, community and culture and on Country.
KWY Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Officer Craig Rigney said KWY was proud to take on the role of a RATSIO, working to generate improved outcomes for children, young people, families and communities.
“Our core business is working within communities, for our communities and families,” he said.
“The over-representation of Aboriginal children and young people in care is a national concern, and we will work in partnership with the Department for Child Protection towards reducing the number of children in care in this state.
“Together, we share the goal of ensuring children grow up with family, feeling safe, loved, and connected with their culture and Country.”
KWY Aboriginal Corporation has provided vital programs and services for the past 12 years in the areas of family support, domestic and family violence prevention, youth work, kinship care, disability, mentoring, education and perpetrator intervention across metropolitan Adelaide and some parts of regional South Australia.
Its work is also supporting the new Finding Families program to stringently focus on identifying secure and sustainable family placements for Aboriginal children and young people living in residential care.
Nominations for the 2024 South Australian Child Protection Awards, which honour those who go above and beyond to support, nurture and empower children and young people, keeping them safe and helping them thrive, have been extended until Monday June 10.
The event also celebrates the outstanding achievements of the young people who have spent time in care.
The Department for Child Protection will host the awards in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), during National Child Protection Week in September.
NAPCAN chief executive Leesa Waters said National Child Protection Week invites all Australians to play a part in building safer, healthier communities for children, now and into the future.
“The week will continue to embrace the message that ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’, with the 2024 theme ‘Every Conversation Counts’,” she said.
“NAPCAN values the Awards as a way to elevate the important work that’s already being done and to generate transformative conversations about how to support our families and children.”
There are four new award categories to acknowledge exceptional effort across the sector this year, including a Community Service Award and Outstanding Service categories in the areas of Wellbeing and Development, Positive Impact and Sector Development.
Now in their fourth year, excitement about the awards has been growing each year since the inaugural ceremony in 2021, with almost 300 nominations lodged for the 2023 awards.
The awards share the successes of young people, recognises those making a significant difference in children’s lives and spreads awareness about the wider community’s role in supporting children and young people in contact with the child protection and family support system.
The awards will be announced during a ceremony at Adelaide Oval on 6 September.
HenderCare Foundation is this year’s gold sponsor for the awards, while Anglicare SA and Centacare Catholic Family Services are silver sponsors.
To find out more or to nominate, visit childprotection.sa.gov.au/awards.
GOLD SPONSOROutstanding achievement of a child or young person
The Voice of Children and Young People in care
Active Efforts Award
Minister for Child Protection
Lifetime Achievement Award
Outstanding Service Award – Positive Impact
Outstanding Service Award – Wellbeing and Development
Outstanding Service Award – Regional Impact
Outstanding Service Award – Sector development
SA Foster Carer of the Year
SA Kinship Carer of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Community Service Award
The Department for Child Protection (DCP) is excited to announce a new Service Delivery Model for DCP Multicultural Services was implemented on 29 April 2024.
For the first time, DCP has a model to guide staff about why, when and how to engage DCP Multicultural Services to support practice that is considerate and responsive to children, young people and families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, with a strong focus on new and emerging communities. Strong partnerships are essential for achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
Under the new model, DCP Multicultural Services will be involved in establishing and growing its involvement and collaboration with external partners and multicultural communities, to support community education and awareness about child protection in Australia and the role of DCP.
For further information or to discuss partnership opportunities, please contact DCP Multicultural Services at DCPMulticulturalServices@sa.gov.au.
Vicky Welgraven AM is a proud Adnyamathanha Woman from the Northern Flinders Ranges of SA and now works as the Strategic Aboriginal Workforce Advisor at the Department for Child Protection.
In January 2022, she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to women through social welfare organisations, and to Indigenous health and is immensely proud of the accolade.
“I don’t know who nominated me and who to thank, so I’ll leave it at that,” she said.
Vicky’s life has been one of community service and volunteering work.
She also sits on the board of Our Watch – the national leader in the prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia and is a White Ribbon Ambassador.
“My passion is to see an end to violence against women,” she said.
“I have a daughter and she inspires me to keep advocating to bring about change for a better future.”
This August marks Vicky’s 30th anniversary in the public service, starting at the then Port Augusta Commonwealth Employment Service (CES) in 1994, before heading to Alice Springs with Centrelink and then Adelaide in 1999.
Vicky has held a number of positions in leadership where she was able to influence, lead and manage teams.
I have a daughter and she inspires me to keep advocating to bring about change for a better future.
Vicky
She grew up in Port Augusta, and worked in federal government before crossing to the state public service in 2009, joining DCP three years ago.
The life-long Port Adelaide Football Club supporter is also a director and deputy chair on the Power Community Limited board, the football club’s community arm. She was also a former committee member of Port Adelaide’s AFLW steering committee, when the club joined the AFLW competition.
“I’ve followed Port Adelaide Football Club all my life, a passionate supporter of both the Magpies and the Power,” she said.
“It’s a family tradition.”
Vicky’s primary role at DCP is to increase the department’s Aboriginal workforce.
“I also provide cultural advice to our nonAboriginal DCP staff – I just run a cultural lens over policies, practices, and recruitment processes within Human Resources and the department. The feedback I’ve been getting has been positive and staff are saying they’ve learned something from me.”
In another string to her bow, Vicky is also an Ambassador for the Hutt Street Centre, which supports homeless people.
She regularly helps with serving meals at the centre and wants to create opportunities for other DCP staff to volunteer.
The Department for Child Protection and the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) are pleased to share a new training package now available for you to use with kinship carers of Aboriginal children and young people, Healing Through Care: A Yarning Resource
This new training package has been designed to deliver the learning and information from the existing Caring for Children and Young People with Trauma online program, alongside holistic cultural healing concepts, in a face to face format that is flexible and can be customised to the needs of carers in your unique communities.
DCP and ACF recently hosted a familiarisation session about the new training package for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and the DCP Kinship Care Program.
Support workers will play a vital role in assisting carers to engage with this learning and development opportunity, as well as supporting them to translate the knowledge they develop into their everyday caring role.
The first Education Champions link up of the year brought Education Champions from across the state to Open Access College in Marden for a morning of learning, networking and collaboration. The seminar was co-hosted by the Department for Child Protection and the Department for Education.
Almost 40 people, including 10 representatives from our non-government partners turned out for the event on Wednesday 10 April.
Bright-eyed and enthusiastic attendees heard from the Department for Education’s Digital Personalised Learning System Co-design Team about the new personalised learning plans for children and young people in care.
The package includes a range of tools to assist support workers to deliver this training confidently and effectively in a face-to-face setting either one-on-one or in small yarning circles.
These include a facilitator guide, PowerPoint, video library and handouts. Access the yarning resource package via DCP’s service provider website.
A reminder that the Caring for Children and Young People with Trauma online program is still open to all foster and kinship carers across South Australia to register.
They then learned about the Department for Education’s Inclusive Education Support Program, (IESP) which is a needs-based resourcing model for preschool and school students with disability.
Following morning tea, Education Champions worked together to brainstorm strategies for supporting young people in care at risk of disengagement from education. The wealth of experience and wisdom in the room meant that we heard many great ideas, with a focus on clear and consistent communication, routines and fostering relationships.
Link ups take place each term and provide an invaluable opportunity for DCP and NGO Education Champions to learn more about the education interface and share their passion for improving education outcomes for children and young people in care.
To nominate an Education Champion or find out more, email CPReform@sa.gov.au
A Cultural Day at Monarto Safari Park hosted by Aboriginal Family Support Services has created lasting memories for 150 carers, and children and young people.
The day was filled with thrilling adventures and opportunities to connect, making it a truly unforgettable event.
The private safari tour allowed everyone to get up close and personal with the incredible wildlife at the park.
Highlights included seeing adorable baby lion cubs, as well as the majestic giraffes. The knowledgeable Monarto Safari Park tour guides entertained and educated the audience with fascinating (and sometimes
gross!) facts about the animals.
Alongside the fun, the day also provided a chance for carers and children to learn about the importance of wildlife conservation and protecting endangered species.
In addition to the safari tour, families had the privilege of joining a cultural walk led by Leon Dodd (Scornzy), a respected member of the local Ngarrindjeri community.
Leon shared his extensive knowledge of the land, wildlife, and cultural traditions, allowing families to deepen their connection with the natural environment and develop a sense of respect for the land and its
A big thankyou to the sector for providing extensive feedback which has led to the finalisation of the updated and streamlined Step by Step foster care assessment process.
Work began on the program with a workshop by the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) in October 2022, and continued last year.
Regular updates have been provided to the Carer Recruitment and Retention Taskforce (CRRTF).
The consultation process also sought advice from service providers about assessing the cultural knowledge of all prospective foster care applicants, and their cultural competency to care for an Aboriginal infant, child or young person. The resulting changes to the assessment tool provide additional guidance to assessors and enhance the assessment of cultural knowledge and understanding of applicants.
Indigenous heritage.
Families gathered for a relaxing picnic lunch on the park's lawns, providing an opportunity for parents, carers, and children to socialise and form new connections.
It was a time for carers and families to share their stories and experiences of their foster care journey, offering support and solidarity to one another.
Overall, it was a fantastic day that brought us all joy, knowledge, and stronger community bonds.
AFSS is excited to host more events throughout 2024.
The Step by Step Manual for Assessors and associated documents have now been finalised for implementation and online familiarisation training has been developed by ACWA for registered Step by Step assessors.
Once registered assessors complete the familiarisation training, they will receive a password to access the new Step by Step web page and resources, which came online on March 4.
The old Step by Step page will be retired after a 12 month transition period. All assessments must be completed and provided to the Carer Approval and Review Unit (CARU) using the new Manual for Assessors and associated documents from March 1 next year.
ACWA in partnership with DCP will now undertake sector consultation to update the Shared Lives Shared Stories Training.
If you have not yet nominated representatives to be engaged in this consultation please email Robyn Skilbeck, on Robyn.skilbeck@sa.gov.au with their contact details.
The Department for Child Protection has welcomed experienced media professional Emma Schwartz as its new Director of Strategic Communications.
Emma has a demonstrated history working in politics, media, public relations and corporate oganisations.
She is highly skilled in crisis communications, strategy, marketing and communications campaigns, stakeholder relations and engagement. She has worked in and alongside the media for the past 20 years and has a passion for writing for both internal and external audiences.
“This new role provides a unique opportunity to help deliver on the department’s strategic objectives,” Emma said. “The people I’ve met since taking on the role are motivated, committed and passionate advocates for our children and young people in care.
“It’s truly heartening to be surrounded by such driven individuals and I’m looking forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to implement some of the critical projects and initiatives.
“We hope our new-look Partner newsletter will be well received and support us in our shared ambition to provide the best possible care for the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Before joining DCP, Emma was an associate partner at SEC Newgate, and head of communications for the Hospital Research Foundation. She was also communications manager at BAE Systems Australia.
New Chief Operating Officer
Experienced public servant Gabby Ramsay has joined the Department for Child Protection in the new role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Gabby will oversee and enable the transformation of the department’s critical corporate functions.
DCP Chief Executive Jackie Bray said the inclusion of a COO position to the department’s leadership team was necessary to drive key projects such as the digital transformation project (C3MS), workforce demands across the sector, key risks across the agency and to support legislative changes.
Gabby is a familiar face to many people in the sector, having held the position of Chief Human Resources Officer at DCP from 2017 to 2019.
She holds 22 years’ experience across the private and public service, leading customer service, regulatory and systems reform in a range of corporate roles in customer service, human resources and corporate affairs.
Most recently, she held the position of Executive Director, People and Culture in the Central Adelaide Local Health Network – one of the largest employers in government.
She also recently acted as the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, highlighting her strong passion for public service.
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