Aboriginal Family Support Services
Together with the community
About
Kinship Care
Aboriginal
What is Aboriginal Kinship Care?
Services
Aboriginal Kinship Care is an out-of-home care placement option providing family based care to Aboriginal children and young people who have been removed from the family home. An Aboriginal Kinship Carer provides a secure, stable and positive environment that caters for the physical and emotional needs of a child who is unable to live with their birth family. The main objective is to ensure Aboriginal children and young people are placed in a culturally responsive, safe, nurturing, stable and secure environment.
Becoming a Kinship Carer
When you become a Kinship Carer, it can be a time of very mixed feelings. You might feel relieved that the children will be emotionally and physically safe, happy and cared for with you. But you might also find it hard to go from being the ‘fun’ person in the children’s lives to being the person who has to set rules and boundaries. As an aunt, uncle, grandparent, sister, brother, friend or neighbour, you might feel:
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Grief from the ‘loss’ of your family member or friend
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Anger or shames at being placed in this situation Potential isolation and feeling alone
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Anxiety and uncertainty about the future
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Stress and burnout from the demands of caregiving
What financial help will I recieve?
Kinship Carers are volunteers who receive a subsidy from the government as a contribution to the child’s expenses. The payment consists of a basic subsidy and an additional allowance. The basic subsidy is a contribution towards general household expenses such as food, electricity, gas, telephone and entertainment and the additional allowance is for items such as pocket money, clothing, medical expenses and recurrent costs. In addition kinship carers also receive an educational allowance every school term which covers school fees, books and uniforms. Payments also depend on the child’s age andwhether or not they have any special needsor disability.
What are the benefits of becoming a Kinship Carer?
Becoming a kinship carer offers several benefits including.
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Cultural preservation and continuity
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Stronger family bonds and emotional support
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Legal rights and recognition
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Reduced trauma and instability for children
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Positive outcomes for children
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Personal fulfillment and satisfaction
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How will AFSS support me?
AFSS Kinship Care Liaison Officers will provide you with ongoing support and advocacy for as long as you are an AFSS Kinship Carer. AFSS also provides initial training for carers to introduce them to the Kinship Care system, the legal system and the financial support provided to Kinship Carers. As part of the process, you will also have to participate in mandatory training such as; Safe Environments, Infant Safety (if the child in your care is between 0-2 years of age), and First Aid.
“Kinship care is more stable for children than other types of foster care. It’s also good for children’s sense of belonging to be cared for by someone who knows them”.
Want to find out more?
Contact Us!
Adelaide - 8297 5708
Berri - 8582 3192
Ceduna - 8625 3466
Coober Pedy - 8672 3066
Murray Bridge - 8532 1790
Mount Gambier - 8723 6110
Port Augusta - 8641 0907
Port Lincoln - 8683 1909
Whyalla - 8644 0116