The taskforce is currently working to develop a sector-wide approach to Carer Exit Interviews. An exit interview survey tool developed by the taskforce is in the final stage of consultation, prior to implementation. This project recognises the importance of retaining our current carers who have invaluable experience providing safe and nurturing environments for children and young people. By focusing on the experiences of carers, we can better understand what works for them, what supports and information they require and what might need to change.

Given the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in care, the taskforce began to explore ways to support Aboriginal children and their carers, including outcomes from the recent SNAICC conference in Adelaide.

A shared training calendar has also been developed by the taskforce to make access to training easier for carers. The calendar will be sent out to agencies in the coming week to enable them to inform their carers about training that is available across the sector.

Taskforce members also heard from guest speakers from Emerging Minds, who provided a brief outline of the role their organisation plays in developing resources for staff and carers and potential opportunities for taskforce members to assist with shaping future resources that would meet carers and the sector’s needs. A meeting has been scheduled with Emerging Minds on 24 October to identify the priorities for training resources for foster and kinship care support workers and for use with carers caring for children aged from birth to 6 years of age.