The Department for Child Protection (DCP), in partnership with Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers SA Inc (CF&KC-SA) and Child and Family Focus SA (CAFFSA), has renewed its commitment to family-based carers with a refreshed Statement of Commitment to foster and kinship carers (the Statement of Commitment). It outlines the child protection sector’s promise to inform, support, consult, value and respect all carers throughout their caring journeys.
Statement of Commitment to foster and kinship carers
We hope as many carers as possible can access the information in the Statement of Commitment. For those who would prefer to listen to the Statement of Commitment, please play the audio recording below.
The Statement of Commitment was updated in October 2024, after we received valuable feedback from current family-based carers in South Australia.
The Statement of Commitment recognises that we must work in partnership and value carers as an essential and respected part of the care team for children and young people. It highlights 5 key principles that guide our work with carers and outlines the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in family-based care.
Understanding the Statement of Commitment
This short video provides an overview of what is included in the Statement of Commitment and what it means for carers.
Key principles
During your time as a foster or kinship carer, we promise to:
- Provide clarity to carers around their role, responsibilities and entitlements
- Ensure carers have the information they need about the children in their care including their family, culture, kin, country, mob and language group
- Proactively and transparently communicate the legal rights of carers and empower carers to know how to report concerns and ask for decisions to be reviewed.
- Provide tailored support, guidance and training to help build on carers’ strengths and skills to meet the unique needs of children in their care including connection to culture, kin and community
- Provide carers with allowances, subsidies and reimbursements, in a timely, transparent and equitable manner to enable a sustainable placement
- Empower carers to make decisions for children to take part in everyday activities
- Understand carers’ needs and support their wellbeing.
- Involve carers in collaborative decision-making about the children and young people in their care
- Be open and honest in our communication and honour agreements made with carers
- Create opportunities for carers to give feedback on policies and practices
- Collaborate with carers to improve processes, practices and services.
- Acknowledge the skills, expertise and knowledge that carers bring to their role
- Recognise carers as an integral part of the care team and celebrate the contributions carers make
- Listen to carers and seek their input on the needs and preferences of the child in their care
- Acknowledge carers’ cultural ways and practices that strengthen the care they provide to children.
- Be culturally safe and respectful in the way we work with carers
- Recognise the significant relationship that carers have with the children in their care
- Respect carers as individuals beyond their caring role
- Acknowledge the ongoing impact of past government policies and practices on Aboriginal children, carers and families
- Treat the personal information of carers in accordance with the Information Sharing Guidelines.
Statement of Commitment Artwork
Included in the Statement of Commitment is artwork created by Gabriel Stengle who is an Aboriginal Contemporary Artist. Gabriel is a proud Ngarrindjeri, Narungga and Kaurna Woman from South Australia and is one of six children who grew up in a sporting and artistic family. The artwork comes from the piece ‘The Journey’ and reflects the journey that DCP takes alongside its partners, children, parents, grandparents and care givers.