2003

Monday 26th May 2003
New Handbook for Local Foster Carers
Parenting is often thought of as a daunting and complex undertaking. Yet it is known to be even more challenging for the many families who care for a foster child.

Centacare Newcastle's Children's Services launched a handbook last week which provides foster carers with information and advice on a wide variety of issues faced by children in longterm foster care, their foster families and birth families.

Children's Services Manager, Ms Helen Keevers, says that the handbook, which has taken two years to complete, has been endorsed by the Department of Community Services. "It contains information on everything from appropriate discipline for children to carer financial entitlements and common childhood diseases - everything we think a carer needs to know about working with a child".

"There is a lot that a foster caring family has to be aware of. We felt it was important for carers to have all the information they need in one accessible handbook that is user friendly and well organised," Helen explained. "Now when carers need to quickly access information about a particular issue or situation, they'll be able to find it all together in one place".

The comprehensive handbook provides contact details for organisations such as the Poisons Information Line, Lifeline and Kids Helpline. It also provides practical details on issues ranging from children's safety in and around the home to suggested amounts for children's pocket money.

The handbook also deals with many of the unique and emotionally complex issues faced by foster carers such as the importance of maintaining contact with birth families wherever possible, strategies to help the child settle in to the new foster family as well as the importance of "Life Story" work for children in care. According to Helen, "Life Story work is an ongoing process by which children in care learn about their lives: where they were born, their birth parents, previous foster care placements and so on".

During the official launch, Centacare Newcastle's Director, Mr Bryan Dunn, said that the book reminded him of a recipe book. "I can imagine it being kept in the kitchen, always close at hand in a crisis".

"The handbook has been a time consuming project, but we are really pleased with the final product," Helen said. "We hope it will be a valuable resource for carers: providing them with useful information and, hopefully, some helpful strategies to assist them in their demanding and complex rol - all in the one easy to read handbook."

For more information contact Centacare Newcastle on Ph: (02) 4979 1330

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