The Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2017) report into out of home care recommended that carers and caseworkers receive training to: “…ensure they hear and respond to children in out-of-home care, including ensuring children are involved in decisions about their lives…” (2017, p. 26) and understand trauma and abuse and its impact upon children and young people and receive training in trauma informed care so they can meet the needs of children and young people, including those with harmful sexualised behaviours. The Commission also recommended that state and territory government and out of home care service providers provide advice, guidelines and ongoing professional development for kinship and foster carers to prevent and respond to harmful sexualised behaviours of some children and young people in out of home care. The Current Situation in Tasmania Foster and kinship carers are not required to undertake ongoing training, nor is there additional training required for carers of children or young people with complex needs. At times training is offered statewide or by regional teams in response to an identified need. A number of service providers offer further training once a carer has been formally approved by the Department. For example, two service providers offer carers access to Australian Childhood Foundation Level I and Level II training on the impact of trauma on children while another is moving to include this training. Service providers also offer other training particular to their organisation. The Foster and Kinship Carers Association of Tasmania (FKAT) also delivers training for foster and kinship carers. In the past this has included first aid training or training on the impact of trauma and practical strategies for managing trauma. The extent and range of training however is constrained by available funding. Stakeholder Feedback Young people with a lived experience in out of home care spoke about a range of training needs for carers. These included training on: the developmental stages and needs of children and young people how to look after children or young people, for example, training in nutrition or how to care for children or young people with a disability understanding trauma and how to support children and young people living with trauma listening and communicating sensitively with children and young people and assisting young people transition to independence. “Caring for a toddler is very different to caring for a teenager”. “Don’t go too hard on them (children or young person), they might have had a hard time … have time with them”.
in accordance with their rights. Children and people live with carers able to support their needs, including their recovery from trauma. vocational and higher education. Children and young people are supported to recover from trauma, learn social skills and build emotional and social resilience. Children and young people develop age-appropriate language, literacy and numeracy. when things are going well and not going well and their concerns are acted upon. and enables positive interactions. Children and young people live with their siblings where possible and it is safe to do so. Outcome 1.2 Children and young people feel safe where they live. 4.2 Children and young people receive the help they need to live successfully on their own when they become independent. 5.2 Children and young people have the confidence to pursue their goals and manage challenges. 6.2 Children and young people are able to form their own identity in relation to culture and community.
Relevant Success Factors Children and young people feel safe with their carer and their carer’s family. Children and people have a trusted person to talk to about things that worry them. Children and young people know what to do if they feel unsafe. Children and young people learn skills for life and living independently. Young people are supported in their transition to adulthood and have a plan for the future. Young people know how to access support and services in the lead up to and after leaving care. Young people make positive life choices and decisions about their future goals Children and people have social networks and participate in recreational activities. Children and young people are supported to develop and maintain friendships. Children and young people feel confident about their future and have goals. Children and people are resilient and able to overcome challenges. Children and young people have a sense of their identity, their history and where they come from. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people develop and maintain a connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family, community and culture. Outcome 1.3 Children and young people have timely