A country that provides support to all children in kinship care and their caregivers as needed to ensure they can thrive and achieve their life goals.
To ensure adequate support for all Australian kinship carers and children in their care, and to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes that recognise and address their needs.
I never thought it as a form of care. I just thought I was going to stay with Nana or Grandad for this long time and that’s it. It didn’t seem weird or strange to me anyway … I still went to the same school, the same sort of things. Still had that same sense of stability, constancy. It was just a different location that you lived, a different person you lived with. (David, 21)
[What do people need to know about young kinship carers?]
That we exist. And that it’s not just grandparents taking care of children. (Mandy, older sister, 30)
She may not be a blood family but who says blood is needed to make a family? They say friends come and go but family is forever. If you’ve had friends who have stuck by you through the worst then personally in my eyes they are family. (Oscar, 19)
We love caring for all the children and see them develop and gain confidence. It is not an easy path at times but it is not dull! Kinship care seems to be the ‘Cinderella’ of care, so I hope your research project might help these people. (Grandmother survey respondent)
Grandparent and other kinship carers, support workers and other individuals are invited to become Supporters of the Alliance. Organisations and Support Groups are invited to join as Affiliates. Supporters and Affiliates receive the quarterly newsletter and may be invited to participate in awareness-raising activities including meetings with the Parliamentary Friends of Grandparent and Kinship Carers.
There is no cost to join Kinship Alliance Australia. Join us!