Supporting Carers Of Other People's Children - Australian Foster ...

SOUTH AUSTRALIAA state-wide Crisis Response Service is available toall carers after business hours ― Phone 13 1611.The Foster Carer’s Charter outlines the Departmentfor Families and Communities commitment tofoster carers, relative carers and kinship carers,and makes clear the rights and responsibilities ofcarers, Families SA case workers, and other partneragencies in the alternative care sector who supportand work with carers.Financial assistanceFamilies SA — your local district centre — seeWhite PagesCentrelinkPhone 13 1021Website www.centrelink.gov.auFamily Assistance OfficePhone 13 6150Website www.centrelink.gov.auConnecting Foster Carers – South Australia Inc.Office P.O.Box 288 Kilburn SA 5084Phone 1800 732 272 (24 hour service from anywhere in Australia)Fax 08 8186 4794Email enquiries@cfc-sa.org.auWebsite www.cfc-sa.org.auAfter hours assistance and supportPeer support is available from experienced foster carers by contacting CFC’s contact line1800 732 272.Services provided:ComplaintsCustomer Service Officer in Families SAPhone 08 8226 6930 or Freecall 1800 003 305– must try resolving issue at District Centre levelin first instance and if dissatisfied, can lodgecomplaint.Office of the Guardian – represents theinterests of children and young people in carePhone 08 8226 8570Email gcyp@saugov.sa.gov.auWebsite www.gcyp.sa.gov.auState Ombudsman’s OfficePhone 08 8226 8699 or Freecall 1800 182 150The Families SA Executive Director, RegionalDirectors, Director Guardianship and AlternativeCare, DFC Chief Executive, Members ofParliament and the Minister for Families andCommunities will also respond to writtencomplaints.• telephone and internet support and referral service;• newsletter to all South Australian carers;• contributing to the dissemination of information to and about carers;• peer support and assistance to obtain information about foster caring and accessing appropriateservices to ensure that carers needs are addressed;• support at case conferences and meetings if carers would like someone from the Association toattend with them;• social activities for foster families;• support and facilitation of regional support groups;• liaison with government and non-government agencies about policy and practice issues;• input into training sessions organised by the Department and non-government agencies;• member of the Australian Foster Care Association Inc., providing input on national issues that havean impact on South Australian foster carers;• supporting the development and implementation of innovative programs and strategies that buildthe strength and capacity of carers in the alternative care system;• providing input into the development and revision of alternative care policies, charters andevaluations as they pertain to the interests, rights and responsibilities of carers;• working with CREATE to gain the maximum input for children and young people in out-of-homecare.56