Supporting family contact, understanding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and online safety are among the focus areas of dozens of learning sessions for kinship carers this year.

The Kinship Care Learning and Development Program began in 2023, and since then, more than 600 attendees have taken part in the sessions across SA.

During April, events will be held in Adelaide, along with Kadina, Port Lincoln, Murray Bridge, Whyalla, Port Pirie, Barmera and Strathalbyn.

Kinship carer Maria, who cares for her grandson, has attended at least five sessions in the program on topics including mental health, finding your feet as a kinship carer and loss and grief. She has enjoyed the program’s face-to-face format.

“That’s how I learn best,” she said. “Also, I find it useful to be able to talk honestly and openly, share our stories and listen to other people’s experiences and what they’ve found useful in their journey.”

APRIL SESSIONS

Impact of alcohol and other drugs
Kadina, Wednesday, 2 April, 10am–1pm
Prospect, Friday, 4 April, 10am–1pm

Staying strong as a kinship carer
Elizabeth, Thursday, 3 April, 10am–2pm

Therapeutic play
Port Lincoln, Friday, 4 April, 10am–1pm

Online safety
Bedford Park, Tuesday, 8 April, 10am–noon

Advocacy in care
Morphett Vale, Tuesday, 8 April, 10am–noon

Understanding the NDIS
Strathalbyn, Wednesday, 9 April, 10am–1pm

Working in partnership with DCP
Whyalla, Thursday, 10 April, 10am–1pm

Helping kids thrive: Case plans and what they mean
Port Pirie, Thursday, 10 April, 10am–1pm

Supporting family contact
Murray Bridge, Friday, 11 April, 10am–2pm

Finding your feet as a kinship carer
Barmera, Tuesday, 29 April, 10am–1pm

See the calendar of sessions here.
Learn more about the modules and register to attend here (external site).

This story is part of Issue 12 of Caring Together, the Department for Child Protection's newsletter for foster and kinship carers. The entire newsletter, and previous editions, are available here.