Since the Aboriginal Kinship Care Pilot Program began in June 2020, three Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations (ACCOs) engaged by the Department for Child Protection to deliver the program have successfully supported more than 100 kinship carers to care for 170 Aboriginal children.

The program delivered by Aboriginal Family Support Services (AFSS), InComPro and KWY aims to provide specialised support for kinship carers of Aboriginal children and young people and strengthens our commitment to making real improvements to the lives of Aboriginal South Australians.

Another important milestone in the program has been achieved with 13 support staff from the three ACCOs completing the Winangay carer assessment and carer review training.

The training was delivered by Department for Child Protection Principal Aboriginal Consultant Kerry Rogers and Winangay’s Paula Hayden.

Paula said the training enables participants to work in culturally safe and trauma-informed ways that puts families at the centre and embeds Aboriginal self-determination.

“There needs to be a fundamental shift in practice for Aboriginal children if we want to ensure Aboriginal children grow strong in culture and connected to their families and communities,” Paula said.

“It is important workers who support kinship carers of Aboriginal children and young people have access to culturally safe and strong training and assessment tools so they can work in Stronger Ways with Aboriginal children and families.”

KWY kinship care support worker Tara said the Winangay tool “allows us to champion our families’ stories and their journey as kinship carers”.

“As a worker it’s empowering to be trained in a tool that facilitates Aboriginal children staying within family and community,” she said.

Follow up coaching will be offered later this year to continue to strengthen support for kinship carers of Aboriginal children and young people.