Dear carers,

I am pleased to be able to write to you having recently been appointed as the Independent Person to lead the Independent Inquiry into Foster and Kinship Care.

It is an honour and a privilege to have been appointed to lead the Inquiry.

As already announced, the scope of this inquiry is determined under section 169A of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017, and will include, but isn’t limited to:

• Existing complaint mechanisms as they relate to foster care and kinship care
• Existing consultation processes with foster and kinship carers
• Information sharing and the sharing of documentation with foster and kinship carers
• Ensuring that there is sound partnership with foster and kinship carers and that the rights of children in foster and kinship care are respected, addressed and realised
• Recommendations to improve foster and kinship care in South Australia.

The establishment phase for the Inquiry has commenced and I’ll be formally calling for submissions shortly. The voice of carers is vital to the Inquiry and its recommendations for change. I hope to receive submissions from as many carers as possible.

Details about how to provide a submission, scope of the Inquiry as per the legislation and timeframes will be available at www.sa.gov.au/careinquiry and we will continue to update you through the Caring Together newsletter and other communication channels.

An email address for the Inquiry has also been established. It is accessible only to the Inquiry team, and queries can be directed to carer.inquiry@sa.gov.au

Thank you for the incredible role you play.

Regards,

Dr Fiona Arney