News Items

FCAV is assisting the Victorian Law Reform Commission with Children’s Court consultation groups

There are no simple solutions to the complex problems arising out of proceedings in the Children’s Court. The VLRC has been asked to come up with recommendations for procedural, administrative and legislative changes that might minimise disputes and maintain a focus on the best interests of children.

FCAV are holding Carer consultations as follows:

Metro – FCAV office: Thurs 25 February, 2010 from 10.30am to 12.00pm. RSVP by 24 February
Metro – FCAV office: Thurs 25 February, 2010 from 5.30pm to 7.00pm. RSVP by 24 February
Metro – FCAV office: Wed 10 March, 2010 from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. RSVP by 8 March

The consultations will elicit the following information:
-        What have your experiences of the Children’s Court been?
-        What did you know about the case before going to court?
-        Did the outcome reached differ from what you expected?
-        How did the lawyers conduct themselves?
-        Did you understand all that was going on?
-        How were the facilities at court?
-        Have you attended Children’s Court in another location apart from Little Lonsdale Street
         (for example Moorabbin)? Did this experience differ?
-        What could be done better?
-        Anything else you would like to tell us about your experience with the Children’s Court or
         Child Protection services?       

FCAV is located on the corner of High & Westgarth Streets, at 48 High St Northcote.

Off street parking is available and tram no. 86 runs from the city and stops right outside the building.

Please RSVP to Gabbi at FCAV on 94899770 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    Please include your name, phone number, email address and FCAV membership number (if you are a member).   Attendance numbers are limited, therefore FCAV will confirm your place at the event.

Click here to view the February 2010 Newsletter. 

The first half of this financial year (Jul-Dec 09) has seen FCAV focus on consideration and planning regarding the learning needs of foster carers across the state in relation to FCAV’s conference/ information sharing KPI. This has included discussion with agencies and carers both Metro and Rural/ Regionally.   

Vic Metro Learning for FCAV members

Through discussions with Gregory Nicolau (of START & Prime Focus) the idea of financially supporting FCAV members to attend Dave Ziegler’s Victorian (Metro) seminar sessions was decided on.

26/11/09 The Science of Success in working with difficult children – Dave Ziegler
This was a full day session and all FCAV members were offered positions paid for by FCAV. We had 20 FCAV members/ foster carers take up the opportunity.  

Over all on the day there were 120 non carers attend the session and 46 carers present. FCAV believe partnering with START in this was to give foster carers access to quality/ international learning was a great alternative to a conference this year.

1/12/09 Understanding and Helping the Child in Foster Care – Dave Ziegler
This was an evening session 6-9.30pm at the Tracey Centre, Parkville. 68 carers attended this session.

Rural/ Regional Learning for foster carers

2/12/09 St Lukes – Bendigo hosted the FCAV sponsored seminar The Science of Success in working with difficult children – Dave Ziegler (Dr Ziegler was brought to Melbourne by Gregory Nicolau - Prime Focus)

This was a pilot and the first of 6 regional seminars that FCAV intend to sponsor in 2009/10. The learning was over two days with the first day being a seminar session and the second focusing on an individual case consultation opportunity. The seminar was fully sponsored by FCAV and was attended by 11 carers and 24 professionals from across the Loddon Mallee region.

FCAV has put the below flyer in the Dec 2009 newsletter to start planning the sessions with carers.

FCAV / Prime Focus Regional Roadshow

Look out for these great regional training days coming your way in 2010 courtesy of Prime Focus & FCAV:

• 19 April, 2010 — Barwon South West Region
  Training conducted by Gregory Nicolau, Consultant Psychologist
  Hosted by Community Connections and Brophy, Warrnambool
  Watch this space for more details in the near future

• 21 April, 2010 — Grampians Region
  Training conducted by Gregory Nicolau, Consultant Psychologist
  Hosted by Wimmera Uniting Care, Horsham
  Watch this space for more details in the near future

• 11 May, 2010 — Hume Region
  Training conducted by Gregory Nicolau, Consultant Psychologist
  Hosted by Berry Street Victoria and Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-op, Shepparton
  Watch this space for more details in the near future

• 12 May, 2010 — Hume Region
  Training conducted by Gregory Nicolau, Consultant Psychologist
  Hosted by Upper Murray Family Care
  Watch this space for more details in the near future

• 8 June, 2010 — Gippsland Region
  Training conducted by Gregory Nicolau, Consultant Psychologist
  Watch this space for more details in the near future

New road safety rules are being enforced from 9th November 2009, which may have an impact for carers, particularly regarding child restraints.

Visit the VicRoads web site for more information