Provision of Full-Time Finding Kin Officer for Kinship Care Support

About

DCYJMA awarded a contract to Yulu Burri Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health for the provision of one full-time Finding Kin Officer to assist in identifying long-term stable kinship care arrangements for children and young people in residential care.

The officer's primary goals included decreasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people placed in residential care services, focusing initially on children under 12 in residential care and children new to care, then other children and young people with moderate and high needs or assessed as ready for family-based care.

The care arrangements were to be identified in line with the five elements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, recognising connections to family, community, culture, and country.

The officer worked in partnership with the DCYJMA South East Region Placement Services Unit, Child Safety Service Centres, and the Finding Kin team to support the region's Keeping KINnected project, operating as part of the broader South East Region Finding Kin team with induction and training provided by the department, matrix reporting as required, and participation in Finding Kin team meetings.

The contract value was AUD 387,037, procured through a limited method under the Social Services category.