The FCAV was pleased to facilitate a group of carer members at a roundtable by invitation of Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn, Minister for Children, in October 2024. Foster carers, along with representatives from PCA Families and permanent carers, met with the Minister in Frankston for one of a number of sessions she is hosting to hear from various stakeholders concerned with young children’s access to education. The event was organised in collaboration with the Departments of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), Education, and Health, aiming to address the challenges children, families and carers face in accessing early childhood and school services.
Carers raised key issues particular to home-based care, including difficulties in navigating the system. Many carers reported that they often had to manage on their own when seeking vital information and services like birth certificates, child care allowances, and early learning programs. There was minimal support from child protection services, and carers expressed concerns about revealing vulnerabilities, fearing this could result in children being removed from their care.
Documentation problems were another recurring theme, with many carers struggling to enrol children in child care or access rebates due to missing documents, particularly birth certificates. This, in turn, impacted their ability to secure the necessary support for the children in their care.
A significant gap was highlighted in carers' awareness of specialist early intervention programs, despite many children being involved with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The lack of accessible information left carers unsure of what services were available to support the specific needs of children with complex conditions.
The impact of trauma on children in care was a major concern, particularly the absence of therapeutic training within early childhood services and schools. While some carers had received limited training, the group emphasised the need for universal therapeutic support and a better understanding of trauma across all educational settings.
Children in care often present with complex diagnoses such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which adds to the challenge of managing their care. Carers particularly noted the difficulties when dealing with children born with drug exposure or those going through detoxification.
As children progressed into school, educational challenges became more pronounced. Carers spoke of the struggle to keep children engaged and safe in school environments, with some children requiring special educational programs due to their trauma histories. In extreme cases, behavioural issues led to classroom evacuations, underscoring the need for trauma-informed educational approaches.
Although some carers had participated in programs like the Circle of Security, these initiatives were not widely available. The roundtable highlighted the need for broader access to such resources to better equip carers with the tools necessary for managing complex care situations.
Minister Blandthorn acknowledged the complexities of these issues and mentioned Scotland’s “Corporate Parent” model as a potential framework for improving care and support for carers and children in Victoria. This roundtable discussion allowed carers to voice their experiences directly, offering the Minister valuable insights into the realities of advocating for and supporting children in their care, particularly in the areas of schooling and education.
The FCAV thanks the Minister for her engagement and looks forward to seeing further action based on the concerns raised during the discussion. The roundtable reinforced the need for more consistent support, better training, and easier access to information for carers, to ensure children in care receive the attention and assistance they deserve. Thank you to the group of carers who took the time to be part of the roundtable and openly share experiences in education access and supports for the children in their care.
