Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-5r2nc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-14T12:53:32.109Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Upping the ante!: The training and status of foster carers in Queensland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Anne Butcher
Anne Butcher*
Affiliation:
Department of Child Safety, PO Box 995, Mackay, Queensland 4740, Email: Anne.Butcher@childsafety.qld.gov.au
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper presents key findings from current North Queensland doctoral research on the topic of foster carer education, training and support. Sixty-one interviews were conducted with Indigenous, non-Indigenous and relative foster carers and a broad range of other ‘key informants’. Research findings presented indicate the need for more highly specialised and accredited training for foster carers than currently exists in Queensland, and argues for the professionalisation of foster care linked to increased payments and improved support for foster carers. The paper concludes that such changes in the current foster care system are crucial if foster carers are to be recruited to, and retained in, the role and, more importantly, for there to be much improved outcomes for children in statutory care.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 30 , Issue 3 , 2005 , pp. 25 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Australian Foster Care Association (2003) Interviews, 01/05/03 & 03/05/03, PhD Research, Butcher, Anne, James Cook University, Mackay.Google Scholar
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2004) Child Protection Australia 2002 – 03, Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.Google Scholar
Armstrong, M. (2004) email communication, 12/08/04, PhD Research, Butcher, Anne, James Cook University, Mackay.Google Scholar
Barbell, K. & Wright, L. (2001) (Eds.) Family foster care in the next century, New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.Google Scholar
Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) Qld (2004) Protecting children: An inquiry into abuse of children in foster care, Brisbane.Google Scholar
Department of Communities (2004) Email communication with Departmental Social Planner (07/07/04).Google Scholar
Department of Education, Science and Training (2005) Competency Based Training (CBT) definition, available: http://www.dest.gov.au (accessed 22/01/05).Google Scholar
Foster Care Queensland (2003) Personal interview, 25/02/03, PhD Research, Butcher, Anne, James Cook University, Mackay.Google Scholar
Hutchinson, B., Asquith, J. & Simmonds, J. (2003) “Skills protect’ Towards a professional foster care service’, Adoption & Fostering, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp.8–13.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Juratowitch, D. (2004) Oral communication, 11/02/04, PhD Research, Butcher, Anne, James Cook University, Mackay.Google Scholar
Lawrence, G. (2004) ‘Caregiver training’, Social Work Now, Vol. 27, pp.25–28.Google Scholar
Leahy, R., Little, D., Mondy, L. & Nixon, D. (1999) ‘What makes good outcomes for children in foster care?’, Children Australia, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp.4–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Madigan, M. (2003) ‘Children in foster hell’, Courier Mail, 18/06/03. Available: http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,6614330,00.html (accessed, 19/06/03).Google Scholar
Madigan, M. & Odgers, R. (2003) ‘Foster children remain at risk’, Courier Mail, 19/06/03. Available: http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,6618310,00.html (accessed 19/06/03).Google Scholar
Madigan, M. & Wardill, S. (2003) ‘New family faces sex claim’, Courier Mail, 30/06/03. Available: http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,6673881,00.html (accessed 30/06/03)Google Scholar
National Foster Care Association (1999) UK National Standards for Foster Care, London: NFCA.Google Scholar
Palmer, S.E. (1995) Maintaining family ties: Inclusive practice in foster care, Washington: CWLA.Google Scholar
PeakCare Queensland (2003) The role of residential care in meeting the needs of children and young people in care, A Series of Discussion Papers, Brisbane: PeakCare Qld.Google Scholar
Pecora, P.J., Whittaker, J.K., Maluccio, A.N., Barth, R.P. & Plotnick, D. (1992) The child welfare challenge: Policy, practice and research, New York: Aldine de Gruyter.Google Scholar
Queensland Department of Families (2003) Initial Foster Carer Assessment and Approval, Policy 288–1, Brisbane: Queensland Government.Google Scholar
Volunteering Australia (2004) Definitions and Principles of Volunteering. Available: http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/sheets/infosheets_PDF/PRINCIPALS.pdf (accessed 18/03/04).Google Scholar
Waldock, T. (2003) Professionalizing foster care: The welfare of children, available: http://www.ica.net/~sharyn.article2.htm (accessed 29/04/03).Google Scholar
Wearing, B. (1984) The ideology of motherhood: A study of Sydney suburban mothers, Sydney: Allen and Unwin.Google Scholar