OzChild

Natalie, a Specialised Foster Carer from Toowoomba and Dr Lisa J. Griffiths OzChild Chief Executive Officer talk to 7 News about the TFCO therapeutic foster care program and the life changing impact it has for young people. https://lnkd.in/gXWujg3D

Being able to support a child or young person through school, camps, out of school sports among other expenses can be difficult. That is why we have philanthropically funded support for both the carer and the child or young person in their care.    Through our Chance to Shine scholarships, we provide individual funding opportunities for children and young people aged 5-18 years, helping them overcome obstacles that impact their education and participation in artistic, sporting, cultural, or community activities.    Our Thriving Families program offers resources and guidance to navigate the unique struggles of fostering. These programs are vital and help to create brighter futures for children and young people by giving them the opportunities they deserve.    See how some of our most recent donations and support offered by these two initiatives have helped OzChild families. 

Foster Care Week is about recognising foster carers – and while foster parents are often the focus, we also want to shine a light on the incredible role that children in foster families play.    These young individuals share their parents, their homes, and their lives with foster children, often embracing new siblings with open hearts. They embody empathy and selflessness, learning early on the value of service to others. By sharing their family, they help create a nurturing environment where foster children can heal and thrive.    Tammy, a child from one of our foster families shares her thoughts about growing up as part of a foster family: “My family and I are foster carers, we have been foster carers for two years now and no sometimes it’s not easy, I have to share a lot of things, like my parents, our house, love, but something I’ve learnt about love is that there is plenty to go around. Some people may say that it’s hard and it is but I can tell you now that there are some amazing things with foster caring like changing someone's life, helping them through obstacles, helping them to overcome fears. All of those things are so important and it definitely changes someone's life, and most importantly there isn't one child who doesn't deserve a good, warm, loving home and family”    A special thanks to the youngest members of our carer village who truly embody the theme of this year’s Foster Care week – Todays Carers, Tomorrow’s Future. 

What an unforgettable night! A huge thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us at our Victorian annual carer dinner last Friday night. It was a night filled with fun, lots of food and dancing, and of course our carer awards! A special shoutout and congratulations to this year’s inspiring carer award recipients... 🏆 Charlotte Duff - Elizabeth Tudor Award 🏆 Don Lee - Jillian Wain Award 🏆 Bethany Jinks and Travis Chalk-Hatton - JC Butler Award 🏆 Stuart & Sherryl Taylor - VACCA Award. Such an amazing way to end Kinship Carers Week and begin Foster Care Week!

This Child Protection Week, we're focusing on a critical aspect of our work at OzChild: ensuring children and young people are active participants in decisions that shape their lives. Too often, children and young people feel left out, asking, “Why wasn’t I consulted?” or “Why didn’t I get a say?” We believe direct involvement and meaningful participation is key to truly empowering young people. At OzChild, we’ve taken concrete steps to change this by dedicating resources to amplify the voices of children and young people. Our Child and Young Person Engagement Advisor plays a pivotal role in educating and equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to actively participate in decision-making, and giving them opportunities to do so. This is about more than just offering them a seat at the table—it’s about ensuring they feel prepared and empowered to use it. We are already seeing the positive impact of this approach as it reshapes our service delivery. Let’s all continue to champion the voices of children and young people—because every conversation matters in shaping a better future and service system for children, young people and families.

We are thrilled to announce that the Putting Families First team are joint winners of the Robin Clark Making a Difference Award at the 2024 Victorian Protecting Children Awards! This dynamic team was recognised at last night's Victorian Child Protection Awards, for their groundbreaking work in supporting families involved or at risk of involvement with the child protection and criminal justice systems.   “The work of the Putting Families First team is a shining example of how collaboration and innovation can transform the lives of families. All members of the inter-disciplinary team show exceptional excellence in practice, delivering a service that truly meets the diverse needs of families, empowering them to make positive changes, while giving each family member hope and confidence for the future.” – Dr Lisa J. Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, OzChild Read more about this amazing achievement here https://lnkd.in/gaP5f4ak

Child Protection Week is a powerful reminder of the sector's commitment to improving outcomes for children across Australia. This July and August, OzChild Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa J. Griffiths joined with other leaders from child and family peak bodies as part of the Future of Foster Care Roadshow. The Roadshow discussed critical issues impacting different jurisdictions, and nationwide efforts to address the foster carer shortage and reduce reliance on residential and alternative care. It also introduced the work of the National Foster Care Sustainability Group (NFCSG), a dynamic collective of thought leaders advocating for federal policies to break down barriers in state and territory foster care systems. Read more about how this initiative aims to reshape the future of foster care in Australia 👇

"The work of Putting Families First was crucial in keeping children safe." - Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn We are thrilled to share that the Putting Families First (PFF) team has been featured in the Brimbank & North West Star Weekly! The article highlights the team's incredible dedication and hard work, which led to us being named finalists for the prestigious Robin Clark Making a Difference Award. It is safe to say we have our fingers crossed, with the winners announced later tonight!

Kinship carers hold a unique and essential role within the foster care system. They are often family members or close family friends who step in to care for children when their birth parents are unable to do so. This type of care not only provides children with a sense of continuity and familiarity but also helps maintain vital cultural and familial connections. The commitment and love shown by kinship carers are truly remarkable. They navigate complex emotional landscapes, often balancing their own lives with the additional responsibilities of raising a child. Their dedication ensures that children can grow up in a supportive environment, surrounded by people who understand and cherish their heritage and identity. During Kinship Carer Week 2024, we want to take a moment to celebrate all carers who walk alongside us on this journey. Your contribution is invaluable. To all the kinship carers out there, we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you. Your strength, resilience and unwavering commitment are an inspiration to us all. Happy Kinship Carers Week! https://lnkd.in/gvd4HZXS

This week is NAPCAN National Child Protection Week. A week where we unite to raise awareness, advocate for the safety of children, and empower them to thrive. This year's Child Protection theme “Every Conversation Matters,” highlights the power of meaningful conversations that help keep children and young people safe. Whether these are conversations with children and young people that equip them with the tools they need to stay safe, or conversations between decision-makers and community leaders - the message is to speak up. Every conversation matters. At OzChild, we're dedicated to being a courageous voice for change and elevating the voices of children and young people, respecting their lived experience. Earlier this year, some of OzChild's Youth consultants attended CREATE's Voices in Action conference with Matt Brady, OzChild's Children & Young Person Engagement Advisor. The consultants participated in a series of workshops, and their ideas and feedback contributed to policy recommendations that were presented to parliament. "It's so important to give young people with lived experience in out-of-home care an opportunity to participate in events like this. It helps them recognise they deserve to have a voice alongside their peers, policymakers, service providers, researchers, carers, and workers when talking about the child protection system." To learn more about the conference and OzChild's Youth Consultants, visit: https://lnkd.in/gjz6RHFA