Foster Care Victoria

I have just come across a useful article made available by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (Child Protection Clearing House) that looks at how children make disclosures, and how best to respond.  The information is particularly suited to carers, although may also be helpful for kinship carers, family members, and professionals who work with children.  The article describes disclosure as a process, with the potential for children and young people to retract their statements as a potential stage in the process.   Click here for a PDF of the article.

The Australian site ‘Peoplemaking’  has some interesting books available for purchase, including the classic ‘Child’s journey through placement’, and two books by Daniel Hughes on attachment.  There is also a picture book for foster children called ‘Kids need to be safe’.

While not based in Victoria, this quarterly newsletter produced by Queensland’s Department of Child Safety  called ‘Horizons’ has some interesting literature reviews and worker responses on topics relevant to carers Australia wide.  Topics covered include adolescent care, reunification and kinship.

The Australian Childhood Foundation is hosting a seminar by internationally renowned child trauma specialist, Dr Bessel van der Kolk. The seminar is to be held on December 6th, in Melbourne. Dr van der Kolk is the founder of the Trauma Centre in Boston, specialising in the treatment of traumatised children. He has a particular focus on examining the ways in which trauma experienced by children can be reduced.

Further information can be obtained through the Australian Childhood Foundation website.

You can read some of Dr van der Kolk’s articles here.

If you are interested in chatting about anything to do with foster care, kinship care, adoption and permanent care, or just want to see what carers are saying, this forum should fit the bill.

It never ceases to surprise me how resilient children are, even those who enter foster care and have experienced a range of traumatic experiences, along with substantial grief and loss. Carers play a significant role in further developing the resilience of children in their care. The Ohio State University Bulletin has provided a series of articles online concerning fostering resilience in children. Might be worth a read.