Annual Report 2015-2016

Foster Carers Association NT I N C O R P O R A T E D

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Contents

Contents ....................................................................... 2

The Chair & Executive Director’s Report ............. 3

The Association ........................................................... 5

The 2015 - 2016 Board of Management .............. 7

Our Members .............................................................. 8

Administration ............................................................. 9

Advocacy & Support .............................................. 10

Events .......................................................................... 11

The Treasurer’s Report............................................. 13

Acknowledgements................................................ 15

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The Chair & Executive Director’s Report We are pleased to present the Foster Carers Association NT Incorporated’s Annual Report for 2016 and to outline significant progress in meeting our strategic goals.

“Empowering carers through knowledge, support and advocacy”

It has been a significant twelve months for Foster Carers Association NT Incorporated culminating with the 2016 National Foster and Kinship Care Conference hosted in Darwin concluding with a Moonlight gala dinner under the stars.

This conference was our opportunity to present world class speakers to delegates who were representative of carers and professionals from all states across Australia. The keynotes spoke on a range of relevant and often emotive subjects validating the challenges that foster and kinship carers continue to experience right across Australia.

Foster Carers Association NT were excited to be able to share this experience by sponsoring 45 Northern Territory carers from right across the Territory, giving carers in remote areas a rare opportunity to attend this event and an opportunity to network with other carers. Many friendships have been made.

Our Association continues to advocate for reforms in the foster care system to improve processes for foster and kinship care in the Northern Territory and have been working closely with Out-of-Home Care and the Policy unit to effect positive change.

Recognised as the ‘go to’ agency for foster and kinship carers in the Territory, local media has sought out Foster Carers Association NT for a position on proposed legislation changes, current practice and future options for Out-of-Home Care.

We continue to liaise with media to improve public awareness of the important role foster and kinship carers provide to the community. During 2015 the Association committed to a media campaign highlighting the value of the work foster and kinship carers do within the community.

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Over the past year we have further developed our advocacy and support program in all regions across the Northern Territory and are proud to have such dedicated professionals as part of our hardworking team. Lucja, Catherine and Rosalyn continue to work closely with foster and kinship carers, advocating strongly in often difficult circumstances.

Our advocacy service has been under significant demand this year identifying the need for greater investment by government to improve out-of-home care services and increased support for foster and kinship carers.

It goes without saying that we could not deliver the high standards of services that we do without the support provided by our administration team. Our thanks to Anne-marie, Bianca and Ingrid who are an integral part of our team. Ingrid, our information specialist ensures communication lines are kept open via the monthly newsletter, Facebook and our website so that carers are kept up to date with the latest news and other important information.

Conni joined us in January as Events Manager and focused on all things ‘Conference’ in the lead up to the 2016 National Foster and Kinship Care Conference. We could not have achieved such a successful event without Conni’s commitment and vision.

We are pleased to advise our membership has increased substantially and as at June 30, 2016 Foster Carers Association has a total of 709 members.

Each year our elected board members make a substantial contribution by volunteering their time and energy to the organisation. Without their generous commitment to our association, we could not do the important job that we do today, so it is with great appreciation that we thank each and every one of them.

Most importantly, thank you to all foster and kinship carers who work tirelessly to provide a warm and loving home for some of the Territory’s most vulnerable children.

The work you do, changes lives forever!

Sue Price Ann Owen Sue Price Ann Owen Chair Executive Director

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The Association 2016 has been one of the most important milestone years of the Foster Carers Association NT Incorporated’s history, and one that clearly reflects the vision and foresight of the early founding members.

Many changes have taken place over the past years and whilst it has been often a challenging path, it is important to recognise that the early visionaries of this association achieved so much through persistence and dedication.

Just 5 years ago, in 2011 Foster Carers Association transitioned from the small ‘volunteer’ run organisation into the vibrant association it is today.

As the Peak Body for foster and kinship carers, Foster Carers Association NT service objectives continue to be focused on empowering carers through the provision of information, support and advocacy.

Our role has always been to seek positive change for the Out-of-Home Care sector, actively consult on policy and legislation and most importantly, advocate for the needs and interests of foster and kinship carers both systemically and individually.

Foster Carers Association NT has been instrumental in working towards providing better outcomes for foster and kinship carers in the Northern Territory through strong strategic partnerships with government and other agencies.

One of our most important functions is to provide advocacy and individual support for foster and kinship carers on their care journey. Out team works closely with the carer to offer confidential advice, advocate for better outcomes and ensure that ongoing supports are in place to maintain and sustain placements for the children in care.

Much of our work has been around building our capacity to support foster and kinship carers and equip them with tools to enhance their role.

Providing access to key information such as legislation, policy and other resources, identifying training needs and facilitating skills development opportunities to build and strengthen carers skills has been a focus to ensure our service delivery is carer centric.

Significant distances between major centres in the Northern Territory mean that the Foster Carers Association NT’s commitment to technology will provide much needed access to all carers across the Northern Territory.

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Technology has become so important to all of us and given the vast distances between our Territory centres, it’s an important strategy to ensure we are able to reach our members and provide access to the resources they need to assist them in their care journey.

We are continually developing our online resource library and have committed to ensuring the association website and social media keep us closely linked to foster carers as an integral part of our determination to inform our carers, share information and strengthen Carers’ capacity.

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The 2015 - 2016 Board of Management It is with great admiration that we give our most sincere thanks to our hardworking board who give up their personal time to ‘make a difference’.

Executive Sue Price Chair

Jennie Vallely Vice-Chair

Kay Eade Treasurer

Louisa Castle Secretary

Committee Robyn Koop Kathryn Howitt Necia Sutton Jake Quinlivan

Resigned mid-2016 Darrin Whatley Lesley Taylor

Public Officer Ann Owen

Left to right: Robyn Koop, Jake Quinlivan, Kathryn Howitt, Sue Price, Necia Sutton, Lesley Taylor, Jennie Vallely, Ann Owen, Louisa Castle, Kay Eade. (Darrin Whatley not pictured)

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Our Members Whilst the search for new carers continues to be challenging in the Northern Territory, we are pleased to advise that our association membership has been steadily increasing.

This year our membership has reached 709 members which represents a substantial 529% increase since July 2011 demonstrating clearly that our association continues to provide a much needed voice for foster and kinship carers in the Northern Territory.

It is important to note that our members are not all active carers, many past carers choose to remain members so they are informed of the latest changes, news and to be kept abreast of the carer community.

Territory Families have committed to supporting our association by ensuring that new foster and kinship carers are informed about our services and their contact details are referred directly to our membership team.

We continue to attend expos and other events continuing to build awareness in the community of the need for Foster and Kinship Carers in the Territory.

134182

387

504

649709

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Membership Growth

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Administration Foster Carers Association NT Incorporated has a small but highly qualified team, the Association functions very efficiently with five and a half (5.5) staff Territory wide.

With an office in Alice Springs and Darwin, we work closely together to support the team despite the vast distance between each of these centres.

Bianca (currently on leave) Anne-marie and Ingrid provide a vital service to support the team and are tech-savvy, employing a range of new media to keep connected despite the distance between the offices.

Our team remains committed to ensuring services offered in Darwin were also available to carers in Alice Springs and continue to balance our service delivery so that we provide benefit to foster and kinship carers where ever they may be.

Foster Carers Association NTExecutive Director

Peak Body & Administration

Office Manager

Communications & Media Assistant

Advocacy & Support Services

Lead AdvocateKatherine Region

Advocate Northern Region

Advocate Southern Region

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Advocacy & Support Foster Carers Association NT’s vision is the principle driving the success of the Advocacy and Support Program.

The program has been adapted over recent years to best suit the needs of foster and kinship carers in the Northern Territory and continues to grow with the increasing needs of foster and kinship carers.

Lucja, Catherine and Rosalyn as Advocates are focused on ensuring carers are well supported whilst they care for the most vulnerable Territory children. We continually petition the Territory Families (TF) to bring about change and advocate for fair practice.

Advocating and supporting carers has led to 436 issues and concerns raised with DCF on behalf of carers over the past twelve (12) months.

Our offices are receiving more enquiries each week from carers requesting support and advocacy, clearly indicating the increasing need of our service. The above chart reflects the increased advocacy concerns raised with DCF over the past five (5) years.

It is important to note that the complexity of casework varies in each region requiring differing strategies to effect satisfactory resolution. Our advocates are skilled professionals with considerable experience in their field and work closely with TF to seek solutions around policy and practice.

0

222

415

554

436

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016

Advocacy Concerns raised with DCF - 2015-2016

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Events Training & Workshops

Foster Carers Association NT has facilitated a number of training sessions and workshops throughout the year in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.

Trainings on a range of topics such as Volatile Substances, a number of self-care topics such as Vicarious Trauma, Neuroscience of Attachment, First Aid, Anxiety and Anger in Children and Young People have been offered wherever we can find skilled facilitators.

It is our belief that providing access to important training, empowers carers to enhance their skills to be more effective in their role.

Alice Springs Foster Care Expo

In August 2015 we held the first Foster Care Expo in Alice Springs which was attended by over 70 carers and their families.

Activities featured Face Painting, the Jumping castle, the Alice Springs Desert Park brought an owl which captured everyone’s attention and many other activities. The Stuart Rotary club very graciously provided the manpower for the big cook up.

The Expo provided an opportunity for carers in Alice Springs to come along to the event with their families, ask questions and link up with other services that they may not have previously connected with.

It was an important opportunity for the Board to attend the event as an opportunity to meet and connect with Carers.

Alice Springs Library, Relationships Australia, Neighbourhood Watch, CREATE, St Johns Ambulance and many others held displays and manned information stalls for the event.

Foster Care Expos have proved to be a very successful event. We plan to host these connection events alternately in Darwin and Alice Springs every two years.

2016 National Foster and Kinship Care Conference

June 2016 saw the launch of the ‘Open your Hearts, Open your Homes’ 2016 National Foster and Kinship Care Conference.

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Over 350 carers and professionals attended the conference representing all states and territories around Australia with 132 territory practitioners and carers attending from the Northern Territory alone.

Foster Carers Association NT sponsored 45 foster and kinship carers with travel, accommodation and conference fees to attend the conference. Carers from Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin regions were represented.

It was also good to see that many professionals across the Territory took advantage of this professional development opportunity and networked with attending foster and kinship carers from all areas of Australia as well as other professionals.

Featured Keynotes:

Darryl Broughton – Through the Eyes of a Foster Child

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg – Demystifying Adolescents

Paul Dillon – Pills, powders & liquids

Dr Diane Szarkowicz – Watch out for the Caveman Brain

Dr Sara McLean – Supporting the Child living with FASD

Bronwyn Clee – Self-Care must come first

Dr Keith Miller – The Meat in the Sandwich

Lesley Taylor – This Family Rules

Panel – How do we measure success in Out-of-Home Care

Fun activities such as Tai Chi, Bollywood Dancing, Downs Syndrome Signing Choir, Self-Care sessions were all part of the events on offer.

Create and YMCA contributed to the success of the conference by running the Youth Only Zone & Kids Club programs for the young people attending the conference with their families.

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The Treasurer’s Report Kay Eade

Foster Carers Association NT Incorporated is pleased to present our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2016.

Foster Carers Association continues to maintain a strong financial position with consolidated income for the 2016 financial year at $1,007,657 carrying forward an operational surplus of $7,069.

Our income for 2016 was attributed predominantly to Northern Territory Government funding through the Department of Children & Families recurrent funding, Conference Sponsorship and the Community Benefit Fund.

Foster Carers Association NT has been well supported by the Department of Children and Families with our current funding secured until June 30, 2018.

We recognise the risk and limitations that financial dependence on Government funding brings, and will continue to review opportunities for ongoing sustainability as we move forward.

Our balance sheet shows a net accumulated surplus of $276,756 as at June 30, 2016 which has been attributed to sound management practice.

2016 shows a continued growth in members’ equity through retained surpluses as demonstrated with this comparative chart covering the past six (6) years.

697,

295

936,

541

861,

441

798,

203

838,

034 1,

007,

657

712,

930

809,

422

758,

059

792,

613

758,

517

1,00

0,58

8

2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 2 0 1 4 2 0 1 5 2 0 1 6

ANNUAL INCOME & EXPENDITURE COMPARISON

Income Expenditure

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The chart below demonstrates a summary of the financial position of Foster Carers Association NT relating to the Assets and Liabilities with the resulting increase in members’ equity for the Association.

The chart demonstrates continued organisational growth of members’ equity as at June 30, 2016 to 36% reflecting a stable asset base of 50% and liabilities at 14%.

79,345 81,199

184,581 190,170

269,687 276,756

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Comparitive Net Equity

50%

14%

36%

Financial Position as at June 30, 2016

Assets Liabilities Equity

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Acknowledgements Foster Carers Association NT is ever grateful for those we have worked closely with during the year.

Without your support we could not achieve all that we do for foster and kinship carers in the Northern Territory.

Our heartfelt thank you!

Alice Springs Desert Park Alice Springs Library Alice Springs Toy Library Anglicare NT Australian Army Band Bachelor Institute of Indigenous

Tertiary Education Barkly Arts | Winjanjjikari Music

Centre Berry Street, Victoria Bronwyn Clee CAAMA studios Catholic Care NT Central Australian Community Toy

Library Central Australian Womans Legal

Service (CAWLS) Centrecorp Foundation – Alice

Springs Centrelink Child Education & Psychology

Centre Darwin – Dr Diane Szarkowicz Christine Kipps Clinical Psychologist

NT Department of Health, Child & Youth Mental Health

City of Darwin CREATE Foundation Crocosaurous Cove Darwin Convention Centre Darwin Defense Community Daryl Brougham Dr Elaine Nuske Dr Keith Miller Dr Mantho Kgosiemang

Dr Sarah McLean EASA – Employee Assistance Service Josephine Martin KidsSafe NT Key Assets Kentish Care Lesley Taylor “Face-painter

Extraordinaire” LWB Katherine Mental Illness Fellowship Australia NT Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)

Palmerston NAPCAN – National Association for

Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect NTCOSS – Northern Territory Council

of Social Services NT Friendship & Support - Katherine NT Legal Aid Commission NT Police – Neighbourhood Watch &

Safety House program Office of the Children’s

Commissioner NT OT for Kids NT Pritika Desai Relationships Australia NT Robyn Henderson Rotary Club of Stuart St John’s Ambulance Tenneil Ross Territory Families – Northern Territory

Government The Precinct Wharf One YMCA

Foster Carers’ Association NT Incorporated (ABN 44 523 770 355)

Darwin Alice Springs Telephone 08 8945 3364 08 8952 9202

Address 25 Damabila Drive, Lyons NT 0810 10/82 Todd Street, Alice Springs NT 0870 Postal PO Box 42716 Casuarina NT 0811 Email info@fostercarersnt.org.au Web www.fostercarersnt.org.au