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Support Needs of NSW Foster Carers - Insights from a Survey

This study examines the support needs of foster carers in NSW, based on a survey conducted by ACWA in partnership with AFCA. The research process involved questionnaires distributed to service providers and carers anonymously. Key findings highlight concerns about undervaluation, health issues, data collection, and prompt responses. Recommendations include comparing data nationally and across years. Acknowledgements go to the participating carers, ACWA members, and organizations like AbSec and NSW DHS. For further inquiry, contact Bev Orr or Sylvia Ghaly for respective national and NSW-related data.

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Support Needs of NSW Foster Carers - Insights from a Survey

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  1. NSW Foster Carers’ Perceptions of their Support Needs – A Snapshot The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (Sylvia Ghaly) in partnership with The Australian Foster Care Association (Bev Orr)

  2. Background • The Wood report and the recommendations to transfer services to the non-government sector • The lack of an independent unified voice for carers in NSW • The speculations about what carers want and need • The role of ACWA within the sector in NSW • The role of AFCA at a national level

  3. Research Process • Questionnaires developed based on previous questionnaires • Both paper based and electronic (survey monkey) collected • Survey sent to service providers and forwarded to carers • No identifying information was recorded, not about the carer nor about the service provider

  4. Limitations • A total of 775 surveys (including 75 on-line surveys) • % hard to determine • Hard to follow-up on issues due to the lack of identifying data • Surveys are being received until the end of August

  5. The Sample

  6. The Sample (Cont.)

  7. Key Findings - Support

  8. Key Findings – Support

  9. Key Findings - Training

  10. Carers Concerns • In general carers feel undervalued • Concern about data collection that does not lead to action • Concerns about health issues, Medicare Card • Lack of prompt responses from case workers • Financial reimbursement for expenses

  11. Further Work • For AFCA: • Comparing the data with national data • Comparing the data with similar data from previous years • For ACWA: • Preparing a written report • Include findings in ACWA’s Advocacy Agenda

  12. Acknowledgements • The carers who completed the surveys • ACWA Members • AbSec • Community Services (NSW DHS) • Connecting Carers • Foster Parents Support Network

  13. Contact • For Carers and National Data Bev Orr, President The Australian Foster Care Association 041-748-5737, afca@bigpond.com • For NSW Related Data and Issues Sylvia Ghaly, Director of Policy and Membership The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (02) 9281 8822, sylvia@acwa.asn.au

  14. Questions

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