The ACT Government has developed a Charter for Carers involved with ACT child protection services. This is to ensure that carers receive the same level of recognition and support as parents, families, and children within the ACT child protection system. It aims to make the system fairer, more accountable, and more transparent for everyone involved.

By introducing the Charter for Carers, alongside the existing Charter for Parents and Families and the Charter of Rights for kids in care, the ACT Government is working to build trust and transparency across the child protection system.

The Charter for Carers was created by building on the existing Charter for Parents and Families, but focusing specifically on the expectations and responsibilities unique to carers. This is because the roles of carers, parents and families are interlinked, focused on helping children and young people to live their best lives. Also, we know the concept of ‘family’ is broad, especially across different cultural groups.

In 2024, all three charters will be registered as notifiable instruments, publicly declaring the standards and expectations for all parties, and ensuring long-term public interest and accessibility.

The development of a Charter for Carers is part of the ACT Government's reform of children and family services to ensure we strengthen families and keep children and young people safe and connected. You can find out more about the broader reform program by visiting the YourSay page for children and family services reform.

We sought views from kinship and foster carers, plus other interested parties, to ensure the draft Charter for Carers resonates with those it has been developed to support and empower.

We wanted to ensure the Charter reflects the voices of people with a lived experience of ACT child protection services, and to hear from organisations that work with carers.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to us, particularly the kinship and foster carers and our sector partners who helped inform the principles and practices outlined in the Charter. The insight, experience and knowledge shared helped ensure the Charter is a clear and practical guide to standards of behaviour and support for carers, children, young people and families.

This Charter for Carers will form part of a large program of work the ACT Government is undertaking to reform child, youth and family services. We are making these improvements to ensure we strengthen families and keep children and young people safe and connected.

The reform is focused on early support for children, young people and their families to facilitate positive life outcomes and ensure long term wellbeing for our community.

We are changing the way we work, the services we provide and the legislation that directs our work.

While the finalisation and release of a Charter for Carers is a crucial step, we understand that it alone is not enough to solve all the challenges faced by carers.

Listening to Carers' Needs

We've been listening, and we understand that carers need comprehensive support that recognises their valuable contributions and addresses their diverse needs.

Ongoing Efforts to Support Carers

Recognising the ongoing efforts required to support carers, several initiatives are being undertaken in addition to the Charter for Carers involved in the ACT child protection system.

These efforts include:

• The development of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in the sector and transitioning responsibility for case management, with self-determination as a core principle.
• Investment in contemporary training for kinship and foster carers.
• Implementing changes in the form of service and support for carers.
• Introducing new funding models for children living in out-of-home care.

Reviewing Support for Carers

The ACT Government has committed to reviewing the support available to carers in the ACT to pinpoint and address existing gaps, ensuring carers' needs are adequately met.

Legislative Recognition of Carers

The Carers Recognition Act 2021 is foundational legislation in recognising carers and establishing care relationship principles in the ACT.

Since it's establishment there have been strong calls for broader legislative reform to support carers and their vital roles, and the ACT Government is working on comprehensive legislative reforms which will address this.

One of these reforms is the Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2024 (No 2) which was passed by the ACT Legislative Assembly on 26 June 2024. This bill mandates support for children and young people transitioning out of care up to the age of 21. It also mandates establishing mechanisms for external reviews of child protection decisions.

The Government will undertake future stages of reform to the Children and Young People Act 2008 and will continue be informed by the feedback of carers in this important work and across all relevant legislative reform programs.

Our Commitment

Through these measures, we aim to ensure that carers receive the recognition, support, and empowerment they rightfully deserve.

We understand some people may feel sad or upset when considering this issue, especially if they have been involved with child protection services.

You may like to contact one of the services below for support:

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline Provides help, information, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, their partners, family and friends, health professionals and anyone working with people who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, 9am–5pm AEST 7 days a week or email helpline@blueknot.org.au.

Kids Helpline A free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800 anytime, talk online anytime, or email counsellor@kidshelpline.com.au.

Lifeline Provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups, and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14 anytime, text 0477 13 11 14 12pm–12am AEST 7 days a week, or talk online 7pm–12am AEST 7 days a week.

1800 Respect Australia’s national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. Call 1800 737 732 or talk online anytime.