Foster Care Survey Feedback
We recently conducted a survey to better understand the experiences of our dedicated carers, and we’re grateful for the thoughtful feedback we received. Your insights are so valuable as we continue working to improve the support we provide to you.
The survey revealed some encouraging highlights:
The vast majority of respondents expressed being very satisfied or satisfied with the availability of Case Workers and Case Managers when they needed assistance. They also reported feeling very satisfied or satisfied with the amount of information provided by Allambi Care to support them in their roles as carers.
However, we also heard that there are things that we can do better:
Some respondents indicated concerns with the social and other supports available to them, as well as a lack of opportunities provided by Allambi Care for carers to connect with one another.
We want you to know that we’re listening, and we are committed to making improvements where they are needed.
Your honesty means a lot to us, and we want to make sure that every carer feels supported, valued, and connected. To dive deeper into the results and share our plans to make things better, we invite you to join us at the Foster Carers’ Forum: It’s all about you on Tuesday, 1st of April, from 7:30 to 8:30pm. This will be a chance for open conversation, hosted by Fostering & Permanency Director, Tim Reed.
We look forward to hearing from you and working together to create the best possible experience for all our carers.
February Ongoing Training - Impact of Trauma and Culture experience on Kids in Care
The first training for the year was led by our Dr Paul Baker, whose extensive experience in caring for and working with kids was evident throughout his presentation. Dr Baker guided us through the ‘Four Elements for Flourishing’ framework, offering valuable insights into how best support the children and young people in our care. The session was highly engaging, informative, and provided an enriching learning experience for all Carers and staff.
We received such positive feedback from Dr Paul Baker’s training, we wanted to make it available to all of our carers. Details and link to the video will be sent out soon.
Save the date - upcoming events
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01.03.2025 |
7.30pm – 8.30pm Foster Carers’ Forum: It’s all about you! |
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16.04.2025 |
10am – 2pm FUN DAY- Blackbutt |
Have you applied for your 2025 NSW Active and Creative Kids voucher?
Applications opened on January 15, 2025. Eligible parents, guardians and carers of school-aged children can apply for the Active and Creative Kids voucher. This is a means-tested voucher so visit the Services NSW Website to see if you qualify.
Upcoming My Forever Family training - March
Connecting with Teens Hurt by Relational Trauma will explore an understanding of the biological, social and emotional drivers of adolescence that can help us navigate this journey with them and find a way to empathise and connect. It will look at emotional coaching and trauma informed parenting tools and principles to support our relationships with them. Sessions are:
Tuesday March 11 10am to 12.30pm
Tuesday March 11 6.30pm to 9pm
Saturday March 15 10am to 12.30pm
If you would like to participate, please go to training@myforeverfamily.org.au or call 1300 782 975 for any enquiries.
Looking for something different to do with kids? The LEAP Museum Morisset is open!
The LEAP Museum was set up in 2024 by local parents with the goal of balancing the benefits of technology with the need for real-world play. The Museum has six rooms of STEM-focused (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fun for kids and families of all ages. The focus is on collaborative play and grown-ups are encouraged to play and learn alongside the kids. The games and activities are designed for multiple players, encouraging teamwork, bonding, and shared fun between siblings, friends, or parents/carers and their children.
There is an eating area with tables and chairs at the front of the museum. You cannot purchase food at the Museum but there are plenty of nearby options or, you can take your own food and drinks.
See the Website: LEAP Museum for opening hours.
WHERE: 35 Yambo Street, MORISSET
CONTACT: 0425 458 258
COST: Children - (1-18) $20 | Adults - FREE (up to 2 adults per paying child)
What is GEOCACHING? Why you should try it with your kids!
Geocaching is basically a treasure hunt. It involves using your smartphone or a handheld GPS unit and an app to navigate to a set of GPS coordinates and then trying to locate a container called a geocache hidden at the location.
Sometimes, they can be plastic containers that can be easily found. More ingenious containers are magnets which require more sleuthing. Once located, you can record your find in the app.
It’s a great outdoor activity for families. As well as having fun exploring the great outdoors, it teaches kids navigation skills using maps as well as skills like persistence when you can’t find a geocache easily.
Even if you have babies or toddlers who may not appreciate the thrill of the hunt, it’s a fun activity for adults and something that will get you out of the house.
Looking at the map www.geocaching.com, there’s lots of geocaches in the area from Stockton to Belmont. That’s a lot of geocaches to find. As you would imagine, there’s geocaches in most popular places with loads to find in Blackbutt Reserve.
H I G H S C H O O L
Do you have a young person who started high school this year? A positive transition is important for a young person’s overall mental health and well-being. Carers and parents play a key role in helping their young people navigate this phase and settle into high school successfully.
Here are some tips that may help.
During high school, friends can become the most important people in your teen’s life. Strong and healthy friendships contribute to feelings of belonging and connectedness and can act as an important support network for your teen as they navigate their formative years in a new and exciting environment. Having friends can also increase a young person's self-esteem, self-confidence and social competence. All of these outcomes are important protective factors for a young person's overall well-being.
Unfortunately, making new friends is not always easy. Forming and maintaining friends is a fundamental life skill that we need to nurture in young people. Reassure your teen that it is normal to feel nervous and worried about making new friends, but when they do connect with other students, it will help them manage the challenges of high school. Encourage them to participate in social activities or extracurricular activities to try and meet new people with similar interests. And if possible, show them that their new friends will be welcome at your home after school and on the weekends. Doing so will help them to develop stronger relationships with their peers.
It can be reassuring to have a conversation with someone that has already been through it. Whether that’s an older sibling or cousin, or a family friend, they will be able to share their experience with your teen to help them feel comfortable and to know what to expect. This can be particularly helpful if the person that your teen speaks to attends the same school.
Your teen may want more independence as they make the transition to secondary school. However, you still play a crucial role in ensuring that this next chapter in their life is a positive one. Checking in regularly with your teen during those initial months will help you to determine how they are feeling and whether they are coping with the challenges of a new school environment.
Make time to connect with your teen on a regular basis at a time that works for both of you. Ask them questions about their friendships and their schoolwork and reassure them about some of the feelings or concerns they may be having. Encourage them to ask questions about school and their teen years and work together to address any fears or worries they might have.
Having these types of conversations regularly will improve your communication and overall relationship with your teen, so that they know they can turn to you for support if needed.
Moving to high school means new subjects and assessments, a variety of different teaching styles, and an increased workload. To ensure that your teen does not feel overwhelmed by the increase in work there are a few things you can do to prepare them.
Put together a study routine ahead of time and help them to maintain it. Your teen might find that they work best after dinner, in comparison to straight after school. Aligning study time with when your teen is most motivated will make it easier for them to achieve their study goals. It is also important to set up a quiet and distraction free study zone in your house where your teen can do their homework undisturbed. Creating this physical space will set the mood for study and help them to remain focused. If you do feel like your teen is struggling, reach out to the relevant school contact as they may need extra support.
It’s important for parents and carers to remember that most teens will have a smooth transition to high school. Both primary and secondary schools do a lot to prepare students for this next phase and there are systems in place to support them on their journey. Try to keep this in mind and to stay positive. Teens do pick up on how their parents or carers are feeling about things, so it’s important to remain positive about this phase. Even if your own experience of high school was a challenging one, approach your teen’s experience with a fresh perspective. Encourage them to feel excited about the transition and high school in general. And remind them it’s possible to feel excited and nervous at the same time.
If you are worried about your teen and you need some extra support, the school will be your first port of call. They will be able to provide you with more information on what has been happening in your teen’s life. Check with the school who the best person to contact is. It might be your teen’s homeroom teacher, year advisor, or the school counsellor.
If your child is showing signs of anxiety, or stress, that have persisted for more than a few weeks contact your family GP. You can also check out our resources for evidence-based tips and articles on how to help your teen navigate the transition to secondary school and manage their mental health and wellbeing.
Article by Linda Williams, Clinical Lead at Youth Mental Health Service, ReachOut.