Navigating risk in out-of-home care

The word ‘vulnerable’ itself can be problematic at times, and it’s often when seen through the prism of risk that it makes most sense. 

Children are vulnerable not because of any inherent attribute or characteristic, but because of the nature of the risks they face in their lives and circumstances.

In the out-of-home care panel, I was pleased to see as one of the discussion topics: ‘Is out-of-home care even a suitable option?’’

It’s always valuable to go back to first principles. We can sometimes stay stuck in trying to fix an existing system, and not be as open as we should be to exploring new systems and new approaches.

A case in point is something I’ve discussed previously – the inherently risky system providing emergency Alternative Care Arrangements when a child’s existing care arrangements unexpectedly break down. 

These arrangements involved children being placed in unstable, short-term accommodation such as motels, caravan parks, holiday rentals or serviced apartments until more stable care could be put in place.

Here, the best answer wasn’t to fiddle around the edges, but to scrap the practice and start again.

Another area we can do better is improving the support we provide to carers.

That is why I've recommended the establishment of a carer engagement and advisory committee along with improved data collection and analysis about the carer workforce to better understand what’s working well and what needs improving.

In our report tabled in NSW Parliament in August, we acknowledged the need for more foster carers, but also stress the importance for carers to be well supported and listened to.

Also participating in the panel discussion were:

• Natalie Lewis, Commissioner, Queensland Family & Child Commission
• Elicia Savvas, Associate Director, Child Protection, Family, Youth and Children’s Law, Victoria Legal Aid
• Associate Professor Jess Heerde, Principal Research Fellow, Department of Paediatrics, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne
• Sam Alderton-Johnson, Managing Director, Impact Policy, UNSW School of Law and Justice.
   

The Children and Young People at Risk Summit was a wide-ranging, two-day event that coincided with World Children’s Day and the 35th Anniversary of the Rights of the Child.

Other topics included: Youth Justice, Youth Crime and Early Intervention; Helping Young People Stay in School and Promoting the Rights, Interests and Wellbeing of Australia’s First Nations Children.

Steve Kinmond OAM
Children's Guardian