Sponsors
We acknowledge the generous support of our partners, the Department for Child Protection and to our many sponsors. Their valuable contribution has helped us to develop a really comprehensive and varied Conference programme, attractive to and appreciated by a wide range of delegates across Australia and its near neighbours.
We have provided brief details of each sponsor so you can find out more about what each one does and how it might be of interest to you.
Conference Partners
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Foster Care Association of Western Australia
The Foster Care Association was formed on June 14, 1979 by Mr. Jack Dalton to give a voice and to represent foster families’ views to the then Department of Community Welfare.
Instrumental in obtaining recognition from the Department was the support Mr. Dalton received from Marian Maughan, who worked in the Child Placement Service and who helped in the establishment of the Association. A steering committee was elected to put a constitution together.
The Association has grown to now represent metropolitan and country foster families and services are designed to address their needs.
A devoted Committee of Management and members oversee the function of the Association and are looking for new initiatives for the benefit of the membership.
An Annual General meeting is held early in September and members can nominate to be elected on to the Committee.
The Foster Care Association is a service that is funded by the Department for Child Protection. -
Department for Child Protection
The Department for Child Protection is proud to be working alongside the Foster Care Association of Western Australia to promote the Conference Aims
The Department ‘s focus is to provide for the protection and care of children and young people, and to support at risk individuals and families in resolving crises.
It responds to situations where a child is not safe because they have been neglected or abused. Where this results in the child coming into the care of the Department, the preferred choice of placement is foster care. The Department currently has some 1800 foster carers, including both General and Relative Carers
The Department recruits, trains and provides ongoing support to foster carers . Initial training equips carers with some of the tools they require to care for vulnerable children and young people, and ongoing case management seeks to ensure that foster carers are properly supported through their fostering journey.
The Department values its foster carers highly and is working to ensure they are properly supported. Currently a major project is underway developing a model of working with Foster Carers that places them as part of the care and protection team and recognises the central importance of the relationship between the carer and the child in care.
A second project is working to increase the pool of foster carers and the amount of respite available. It also focuses on the provision of accessible, relevant and high-quality learning opportunities for all foster carers.
The Department works very closely with the Foster Care Association of WA.
Major Sponsors
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Key Assets
Key Assets is a non governmental organisation specialising in fostering services for children. We offer high quality family placements and related support services to help children and young people who are in out of home care to achieve their full potential and to live fulfilling lives in the community. Working in partnership with the Department for Child Protection, Key Assets, offers positive experiences to a whole range of children and young people. The company name, Key Assets, reflects our belief that carers are the ‘agents of change’ for the children they look after. This makes them a ‘key asset’. Furthermore we believe that in seeking to strengthen developmental opportunities a child or young person’s strength and resilience will grow. The name of our company reflects these beliefs and aspirations.
Key Assets is associated to Foster Care Associates Ltd in the UK. -
Life Without Barriers
Life Without Barriers is a national not-for-profit organisation working to support children and young people in crisis, people with a disability and those with a mental health issue.
Our organisation is a leading provider of care in Australia and is renowned for its flexibility, innovation and strong community focus.
We have services throughout Australian (except Victoria) and are now also able to support children and young people who need to move into foster care, and help those with a mental health issue live independently and with dignity.
Our organisation values meaningful, healthy relationships as the foundation of everything we practice. We strive to link the people in our care with all aspects of their local communities, including their culture, businesses and government.
Carers are the heart of our organisation and are central to the success of the support we give our clients. Our carers come from a range of backgrounds and can provide a care in a variety of ways. We are committed to providing 24-hour support for our carers and help ensure they create a safe, caring environment for the person they are caring for. -
LotteryWest
LotteryWest supports many community events and has provided us with generous grants for this Conference.
Thanks to their contribution we will be able to help some people with travel and accommodation costs. These are limited to people living in WA and are generally reserved for those of you with long distances to travel. If you need help with the Conference fee we may also be able to help.
Our Children’s and Young People’s programme is also possible thanks to LotteryWest.
Why not find out more about grants for your organisation
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Wanslea Family Services
Wanslea is an uniquely West Australian organisation that has provided services to families for over sixty years. Wanslea operates from two metropolitan (Scarborough and Victoria Park) and four regional offices (Mandurah, Albany, Kalgoorlie and Esperance) and provides services to over 13,500 children and 9,400 families each year. The Core areas of activity are Family Day Care, In Home Care and Family Services including: Crisis Support; Parenting Skills; Family Preservation and Reunification; Leaving Care; Emergency and Specialist Foster Care and Grandcare.
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Create Foundation
CREATE Foundation exists to create opportunities for over 29,000 children and young people in out-of-home care. CREATE is the only national not-for-profit organisation working with children and young people to improve their life outcomes and give them a voice in the foster care system.
CREATE run a number of programs and activities across Australia aimed at connecting, empowering and changing the lives of children and young people in out-of-home care. These programs include:
clubCREATE
CREATE Your Future
CREATE Your Future Website
Young Consultant Training
Be. heard Program
Mission:Be Program
National Youth Advisory CouncilThrough clubCREATE we also provide Entering Care Kits nationally for children and young people when they first enter into out-of-home care. The kits provide support materials, charter of rights and other essential items. CREATE also has a regular clubCREATE national newsletter which provides information on our programs and activities in each State and Territory and is proving to be a valuable resource for carer’s and children and young people.
For more information on CREATE Foundation please call 1800 655 105 in your state or territory.
