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August 2014 Newsletter - Caring for Carers and Foster Care Week 14-20 September

Taking Care - Of Yourself!

FCAV members - prizes to be won.See page 3 and 7 for details and be quick!Email: competition@fcav.org.au with your details or call the FCAV office on: 9416 4292.

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With Foster Care Week coming up on 14 - 20 September 2014, it’s an important time to reflect on, and appreciate, the contribution of Victoria’s foster carers to children, young people and the community. It’s also an important time for carers to take stock of the rewards and challenges that present themselves each day of a foster carer’s life.

One of the key factors to successful, happy foster care is that carers know how to take care of themselves and how to recognise the signs that they need time to refresh and recharge. Self-care is very important for you to be able to function fully as a competent foster carer and to model this self-care to other family members.

The following are some ideas for managing stress and taking care of yourself:

• Make time for yourself and your family.• Schedule things that interest you, like hobbies, sports or time with friends. Plan these activities and put

them on the calendar to make sure they happen.• Exercising regularly, such as walking or doing yoga, can give you a break, improve your health, release

tension, increase your energy and give you space to focus on yourself.Try to maintain a sense of humour, keep a healthy perspective and don’t take things too personally.Be realistic and patient with yourself – Rome wasn’t built in a day!Source: “Taking care of yourself” Fact Sheet, Department for Child Protection, WA.

A carer gift is attached in the lead up to Foster Care Week (14-20 September 2014).

FCAV and L’ORÉAL Australia are pleased to attach this gift for you as a small token of thanks for the amazing work you have done over the year. Thank you.Because you’re worth it.

Be quick!

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Each year we dedicate this issue of the newsletter to carer care. We do this to acknowledge that, as a carer, you are doing one of our society’s most important, selfless and difficult jobs and also because mid-winter, in the midst of a busy term, it is more important than ever to be reminded that your physical, mental and emotional health is one of the most important factors in providing the care you do.

Again this year L’Oréal Australia, as part of their citizenship program, have donated the carer gift attached on the cover for you, as a gesture to thank you for your dedication to your fostering role and in the hope that you can dedicate some time, however brief, to looking after yourself. On behalf of the FCAV, thank you.

Also in this issue, please see the notice of the FCAV 2014 Annual General Meeting to be held at L’Oréal headquarters on Friday 12 September, 2014. If you are interested in attending please see the next page for details on how to register your attendance.

Have a happy August!

From the CEO In brief...

Katie HooperChief Executive Officer, FCAV

Inside this edition:In brief page 2

Carer competitions page 3

Thank you Bryan Jeffrey, MOAT page 3

Children from diverse backgrounds page 4

CISS annual results analysis page 5

Leaving care study page 6

Carer development opportunities page 7

CISS Hotline: (03) 9416 4292

Are you a carer? Do you have questions about your role? Are you having issues you need to discuss with someone? Your calls help us to identify the key issues affecting carers across Victoria, strenghtening our advocacy in the Out-of-Home care sector.

The Safe and Secure Guide - A trauma informed practice guide for understanding and responding to children and young people affected by family violence.The Safe and Secure Guide is a collaboration between the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Family Violence Partnership and the Australian Childhood Foundation. This guide is an excellent resource for workers and carers, regardless of their role, who come into contact with or work with children who have experienced family violence.A copy of the Guide can be downloaded from:www.childhood.org.au/for-professionals/resources

New Carer Reimbursement RatesWith the start of the new financial year, carers should have all been advised of the new

reimbursement rates for 2014/2015. FCAV has an Information Sheet detailing these rates available on our website - just follow the links in the Latest News on our website www.fcav.org.auAlternatively, we can email or post the Information Sheet to you. Ph: 9416 4292

Wesley Employment ServicesWesley supports young people with a permanent medical or mental health condition, learning difficulties, injury or disability to transition from school to employment. At this time of year they are registering students in their final year of school to help them with their transition from school later in the year. If you would like to refer a young person who lives in the North West region please contact: Vicki Walsh on 0403 090 763.

How to Help Kids Who Bully Other KidsSometimes, children and young people in care struggle to form and maintain social relationships with their peers and may be perceived to be bullying other children. Whilst we all understand the reasons for this behaviour, it's important that carers (and workers) are able to assist children, in these situations, to change their behaviour in a thoughtful and non-judgemental way.Child Family Community Australia has released a range of resources that provide effective ways of working with children to address any concerning behaviour. These can be found at:www.aifs.gov.au/cfca/alert/newpub20140723.html

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Carer Competitions and Invitations

Carer members

win!

Foster Care Association of Victoria

Notice of 2014 Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the Foster Care Association of Victoria, Inc. will be held on:

• Friday 12 September, 2014

• Welcome at 11:30 AM

• Meeting proceedings begin 11:35 AM

• At L’Oréal Office:

L’Oréal, Level 6, 564 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3044

• RSVP your attendance to Meagan at:

m.muller@fcav.org.au

by: Friday 22 August, 2014

Items to be tabled and voted on include:

• AGM minutes 2013

• 2013/2014 Annual Report and Financial Statement

• Election results

Win!

Tickets to National Conference 2014

FREE ticket offer! Refer page 7

The benefits of adopting a foetal position for stressed, traumatised people, in order to facilitate de-escalation, has been highly researched and documented by many clinicians; none more so than Bruce Perry (MD) from the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, Texas. We know that the more stressed we become, the harder it is for us to remain in our rational, thinking brain (the cortex); and the more likely it is that we will slip towards our primal, brain stem area. When accessing our brain stem, we tend to behave more impulsively; with a limited range of cognition; more reactive responses; and a reduced capacity to make clear, rational decisions. If our young people, and especially those who have been emotionally traumatised, are escalating; where their behaviour appears to be uncontrolled and explosive – this could be indicative of ‘brain stem thinking’. At these times, our knowledge about these brain layers can assist us in supporting the young person to de-escalate; allowing them to learn from

the process and hopefully adapt their coping strategies when becoming stressed in the future.What we know is that replicating ‘life in utero’ for a traumatised young person, appears to allow the brain stem to stabilise and with this stability, calm the other layers of the brain. Features of ‘life in utero’ may include: darkness, warmth, feeling physically contained, hearing a rhythmic heartbeat, being cushioned in the foetal position, and hearing muffled voices of encouragement.One of the most effective, and unthreatening de-escalating tools available may be as simple as a large bean-bag for a young person to sit in. This automatically aligns them into the foetal position. If the young person is educated about the benefit of this calming measure, they can utilise it as their mood is starting to escalate. Other environmental changes you can consider include soothing (heartbeat-type) music, softened lighting and any intervention focused on further calming and reassurance.

The benefits of the humble bean bag

FCAV Carer Members! FCAV has two nurturing bean bags from Cocoon Couture to give away. To enter to win one of these beanbags, please email in with the subject header “Benefits of bean bags” by Wednesday 3 September 2014. Don’t forget to include your name, address and your current contact phone number: competition@fcav.org.au or, call the FCAV office on 9416 4292.

Over 400 foster carers and CSO staff have attended learning and development sessions provided by Bryan Jeffrey, in partnership with FCAV, over the past 2 years. Bryan has expanded carers’ knowledge, skills and confidence immeasurably and we thank him for his contribution.

The article below recaps one of the messages delivered in the training. FCAV is currently working with Anita Pell and developing a new training topic that

will commence later this year in 12 locations across the State. Details will be showcased in the next edition.

Hold the Date!

Bryan Jeffrey, Director, MOAT: Mental Health Services, www.moat.com.au

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Carer Information and Support Service (CISS)

A glimpse inside CISS Advocacy: Carer StoryA foster carer called CISS staff to discuss problems with obtaining higher reimbursement rates for two children who had been in her care for six months and had presented with some difficult behaviour, resulting in significant damage to the home.The carer was required to attend school on a daily basis for a number of hours to settle the children which meant she was unable to engage in paid employment. An application for higher reimbursement rate was completed three months prior but there had been no response given as to whether or not it would be approved. The carer was encouraged by FCAV to pursue the matter and a complaint was submitted to DHS.

This carer received the higher payment and feels that without this she would not have been able to provide the care that she wanted to give to the children in her care. She now feels she can focus on the important job of looking after the children rather than worrying about financial issues.

If foster carers believe that they should be receiving a different level of reimbursement, or if foster carers are concerned that the child or young person in their care has special needs that require additional funds, they should raise the issue with their CSO worker and discuss the most appropriate way to ensure these needs are met.

If you require information or support from CISS, please call the hotline on 9416 4292.

Information Sheet of the Month “Caring for children from diverse backgrounds”

View this and other information sheets on the FCAV website at: www.fcav.org.au/news/new-info-sheet-cultural-support-for-children-from-diverse-backgrounds

Carer Testimonial

Victoria is one of the most culturally diverse states in Australia with almost 43.6% of its total population having either been born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas. Research carried out in Victoria in 2012 on children living in Out-of-Home Care showed that 13% are from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) or refugee backgrounds.

FCAV believes that care provided to children or young people must allow them to stay connected to their families, community and culture. Children should be encouraged and supported to have positive views of themselves and to be proud of their identity and heritage. A good foster care placement should provide cultural sensitivity, acceptance, co-operation and family membership. There is a need for culturally sensitive practice which can be achieved if foster carers are culturally competent.

With these values in mind, FCAV’s Social Worker student, Stacey Muu, has developed our latest Information Sheet, ‘Caring for Children From Diverse Backgrounds’.

You can find it on our website under Latest News: www.fcav.org.au or alternatively send a request email to: admin@fcav.org.au or Ph: 9416 4292 and we can email or post a copy to you.

If it wasn’t for Biba and Leigh I would no longer be foster caring. They have been a great sounding board while I was negotiating a range of issues with my agency. Thanks to their advice and patience I have finally received the right carer payments for my foster kids; a clear schedule of Care Team Meetings is now in place; and my agency worker and I have regular discussions about my support needs, as well the children’s.

Barbara

“”

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CISS Annual Results Analysis 2013/2014

The CISS annual results analyse the CISS data collated throughout the past year, identifying the core issues arising for carers and others within the Out-of-Home Care sector.

There were 609 overall contacts received by CISS for the period July 2013 to June 2014, an increase of 18% from 2012/13. CISS identified 1,052 issues of concern requiring clarification at the time of contact or further support and advocacy on behalf of callers, an increase of 31% from 2012/13.

Of these contacts, those inquiries related to foster care comprised 508 contacts or 84% of all inquiries - a 23% increase from 2012/13. CISS identified 792 issues of concern regarding foster care, constituting 75% of all issues raised by contacts to the service - a 34% increase from 2012/13.

The table below gives a clear breakdown of the issues CISS has dealt with throughout the past year.

As a result of our analysis, a number of recommendations have been made for consideration by DHS and foster care agencies:

1. Worker Training:

That DHS and Foster Care agencies ensure their staff receive appropriate professional development regarding the roles and responsibilities of foster carers, particularly during induction /orientation of new staff. However, it is important to maintain ongoing training that includes:

• effective Care Team practice

• understanding of the daily challenges confronting carers

• contemporaneous knowledge of Departmental and agency policies and procedures affecting foster carers

• effective communication with carers, including “hard conversations”.

2. Carer Support and Management:

That carers receive appropriate support from their agencies and DHS through the following:

• The opportunity to establish carer support, and information sharing, groups (where not currently existing) within agencies and /or local networks.

• Effective investment in carer training and professional development on both a group and individual basis (targeted on meeting the needs of the children and young people for whom they are caring at the time).

• Carer reimbursement levels and other financial supports required for the needs of children and young people are clearly established prior to, or as soon as practicable after, the commencement of placements.

• Ensuring that carers are aware of their rights to raise concerns, the processes for these and the commitment

CategoriesNumber of Issues

% of Categories

Agencies - Issues 176 22DHS - Issues 154 19DHS - Financial 91 11Quality of Care 81 10Permanent Care 50 6Centrelink - Financial 32 5Education/Health/Mental Health

23 3

Legal 25 3Access 23 3

Placement Support Needs 14 2

FCAV - General Enquiries 123 16Total 792

of their agency or DHS to resolve such concerns. Carers should also be assured of their right to bring their concerns to FCAV if they believe this is warranted.

• DHS to establish, as a priority, a clear policy / practice document that articulates reimbursement guidelines, clarification regarding payment of client expenses and placement support grant guidelines.

3. Quality of Care Matters:

That DHS and agencies ensure carers are fully cognisant of their rights during and after Quality of Care investigations and are treated respectfully throughout these processes:

• DHS and agencies should again undertake staff training in relation to Quality of Care processes, requirements and practice.

• Agencies to ensure carers are informed both verbally and in writing of the allegations being investigated, the process of investigations and timeframes.

• Agencies to ensure that carers receive the Carers Guide, and are informed of their rights to external support and their right to counselling services when advised of the investigation.

• Agencies to ensure that counselling is also available to carers following the conclusion of investigations.

• Agencies to ensure they meet their responsibility to provide a liaison worker to maintain regular and effective communication with carers.

To read the full report, go to: www.fcav.org.au/news/cissannualreport1314 or call FCAV on 9416 4292 to request that a copy be emailed or posted to you.

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Making a Difference with Your HelpRecruitment of young people to the Beyond 18 study is HAPPENING NOW! The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has been funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services to undertake Beyond 18: The Longitudinal Study on Leaving Care. This is an exciting and important new research project that focuses on the lives and experiences of young people transitioning from Out-of-Home care. Beyond 18 will provide insights into ‘what works’ throughout the transition from formal statutory orders, suggest ways of enhancing Out-of-Home care and improving the transition and post-transition phases. Around 300 young Victorians are eligible to take part in the Beyond 18 study. Eligible young people are: • born between 1 July 1996 and 30 June 1997 • have spent time in foster care, residential care, lead tenant or kinship

care placements • may have already left care.HOW TO HELP: • Have the Beyond 18 Team visit you and your staff to talk about the study

in person. We’ll answer your questions and provide information packs for your staff and the young people they support. Simply reply to this email or call 1800 352 275 to make a time to meet the Beyond 18 Team. We’ll be hitting the road in July 2014 would love to drop by!

• Encourage eligible young people to get in touch with the Beyond 18 Team via phone or email. Email: info@beyond18.com.au Ph: 1800 352 275 – ask for Pauline or Sez. To learn more, go to: www.beyond18.com.au.

The Longitudinal Study on Leaving CareBeyond 18

HEAL stands for Healthy Eating & Active Living. HEAL is an intervention program which is being trialled in Out-of-Home residential care. The aim of this program is to provide information and practical opportunities to help young people living in residential care make positive choices and behaviour changes in relation to eating and physical activity, as well as

resource their professional carers to model and support this change.

The HEAL program is now into its second year and interviews with each of the program coordinators, after the first 12 months of the program, have highlighted some significant changes in the young people’s eating and physical activity behaviours. Specifically, the HEAL program has seen an increase in the number of young people engaged in a community sports club, a greater number of young people joining and accessing the gym and a conscious effort by staff to provide healthy snacks and meals for the young people in their care.

Focus to date

1. The importance of healthy eating and physical activity for a young person’s psychological and physical health.

2. How food and practices around food has enormous potential to help children be nurtured and recover from the absence of nurture, to help children feel as if they belong, to help children feel connected and to make relationships.

3. The role food and exercise plays in fostering healthy development for children and young people in care.

To date, the HEAL project has only been piloted in residential care settings, however, we are interested in developing some additional training for foster carers.

What is HEAL?

Focus groups of foster carers and FCAV are currently being put together to discuss how this program can work for Home Based Care. There are still two places available on:Date: Wednesday 3rd of SeptemberTime: 10am-1pm (morning tea and lunch provided at 1pm)Location: Deakin Prime, 3/550 Bourke St, Melbourne.Please contact Rachael Cox if you are interested in taking part in this group. Ph: 03 9244 3041 Email: r.cox@deakin.edu.au

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Carer Development Opportunities

The 2014 National Foster and Kinship Care Conference is to be held at Wrest Point Casino, Hobart. The Conference runs over 2 days on 13 and 14 November 2014.

FCAV is pleased to announce it will be in a position to send six (6) carer members to the conference, covering the costs of flights from Tullamarine, accommodation in Tasmania and registration to the Conference, including a budget allowance per carer for extra travel costs.

If you are interested in winning one of these supported places at the National Conference, you must be a carer and member of the FCAV. Before contacting us, please visit the conference website and find the Masterclasses that you would be most interested in attending.

http://togetherconference.kennerleykids.org.au.

Once you have decided, please contact FCAV at:

admin@fcav.org.au outlining those Masterclasses, any questions you may have and all your current contact details.

We need your application by no later than 9am on 8 September 2014 but we expect places to go fast so apply as soon as you can.

National Foster & Kinship Care Conference 2014

ACT Group Seminars Training Ticket Offers

Free!

Mindfulness: Why Attention MattersSpeaker: Dr Craig HassedDate: Wednesday 10 September, 2014

Mad, Bad or Sad? A Pathway to Healing

Speaker: Nick Grainger

Date: Wednesday 8 October, 2014

Trauma and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Speaker: Joanne Templeton

Date: Wednesday 22 October, 2014

Seeing, Thinking, Doing

Speaker: Nick Grainger

Date: Wednesday 5 November, 2014

Developmental Implications of Early Trauma

Speaker: Louise Newman

Date: Wednesday 28 November, 2014

More information at: www.fcav.org.au/news-events/calendar-of-events.

FCAV has *2 FREE tickets valued at $200 each available for each of these events and you are encouraged to contact us and apply if you can find a way to make it to any of these training dates.

Please register your interest to attend these events either by email. In the subject header, list the title of the seminar, and in the body of the email include your name, address, mobile and home phone numbers and send to: competition@fcav.org.au or call FCAV on 9416 4292, not later than 2 weeks before the training date.

6Carers

to win a place!

IFCO 2014 European International Foster Care Conference

The IFCO 2014 European International Foster Care Conference is being held from 26 to 29 August, 2014 in Waterford City, Ireland.

FCAV President, Nicole Misurelli, is attending the conference and will report back to members in the October newsletter.

It is planned that Nicole will also be sharing insights and learnings from the conference in a carers’ forum in late September.

Carers who are interested in attending this proposed forum are invited to register their details with FCAV. Event details will then be confirmed during September.

For more details visit www.conference.ifco.info

Foster Care Association of Victoria IncLevel 1, 398 Smith Street, Collingwood, Victoria, 3066P: (03) 9416 4292F: (03) 8415 0297E: admin@fcav.org.auW: www.fcav.org.auABN: 30 747 010 099

Are you an FCAV member.... or know someone who should be?

FCAV is the voice of foster carers in Victoria and your membership supports our mission to strengthen foster care and support foster carers at every stage of the foster care journey.

We put you at the centre. We offer you confidential, independent, individual support from our Carer Information Support Service and regular newsletter updates that cover important foster care related issues, events, training and giveaways. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to topical surveys, and add your voice to improving foster care support in Victoria.

Membership is free. Applications can be made online, or call us to join.

Update your details...Moved? Changed agencies? Visit our website, or call or email with any changes.

Donate to FCAVYour contribution is valuable and we appreciate your thoughtfulness. The Foster Care Association of Victoria has been endorsed to access some charity tax concessions, however, does not hold deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.If you would like to make a contribution please visit the website: www.fcav.org.au/donate Contact us if you would like to more information about the work we do to support Victorian foster carers and how you can help.