In Australia, 7.6% of all children aged 0-14 have some sort of disability, with intellectual and developmental disabilities being the most common. An intellectual impacts children’s ability to learn knowledge and skills, is generally measured by IQ and can be mild to profound. Developmental disabilities can be physical or mental including things like autism. Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are a particularly vulnerable group with greater caregiving needs. Unfortunately, they are also at an increased risk of experiencing maltreatment. Consequently, many children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are placed into foster/kinship care.
Children with disabilities are overrepresented in out-of-home care. Currently there are just over 46,200 children in out-of-home care in Australia. However, the disability status is only known for 63% (~29,100) of these children and of these about 30% (>8,730) are reported as having some sort of disability. This means there is a significant number foster and kinship carers providing care to children with disabilities in Australia.
Recently, my colleagues and I went to the research literature in order to get a better understanding of what we know about children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in out-of-home care. Our paper can be accessed here https://www.hindawi.com/journals/hsc/2023/2422367/
What we found was very sad;
- Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in out-of-home care are an understudied population. In truth, there is very little research regarding their experiences or needs.
- Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities have increased needs and when their families are not well supported, they may experience maltreatment and require foster/kinship care.
- There is a lot of research which suggests that foster/kinship carers are not supported in their caregiving role. Not surprisingly, when foster/kinship carers are not well supported when caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, placements breakdown. This means there is a large number of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in residential care.
- Foster/kinship carers are not always given accurate information regarding the health and/or disability status of children prior to the children’s placement. This can result in multiple placements for children.
Like all children, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities need safe, loving homes. Unfortunately, they are most at risk of not achieving this in their own families and after placement into foster/kinship care. There is a clear need to better support families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in order to prevent maltreatment and placement into care. There is also an urgent need to better support carers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By supporting carers, children have more stable homes and better outcomes (not to mention, happier and healthier carers).
If you care providing care to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, here are a few strategies to help you in your caregiving role:
- Look after yourself. Self-care is not an option; it should be a priority! Remember, it is not only the child(ren) in care, but the rest of the household who is impacted when the primary caregiver is feeling weary. Caring for yourself will enable you to provide the best quality care and feel the most satisfaction in your caregiving role.
- Ask for help. Don’t assume the agency/department will say ‘no’ and if they do, ask again. Reach out to the Foster and Kinship Carers Association for support and advice, they may be able to refer you to services.
- Educate yourself. Learn as much as you can about the children’s disabilities and the services available to them. Also learn all you can about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as this can support you and the children. For example, it may fund regularly occupational therapy sessions for the children, which gives you a free hour for a quiet cuppa and some ‘me time’.
- Look for ways to have your voice heard. It should be noted that we found NO research related to the experiences of foster/kinship carers who provide care to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are now planning a program of research that will explore carers experiences. We hope to get a better understanding of both the challenges and rewards associated with providing care to these children so that we can help develop models of support.
Remember, some days are easier than others, but every day is worth it. Try to remember to focus on the children, not their disabilities. They need fun, love and safety just like any other child.
This article was written and authorised for use by our guest blogger Dr Stacy Blythe - Foster carer and Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University.
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As we enter 2025, we are filled with renewed energy and optimism for the year ahead. Our commitment to supporting carers and improving outcomes for children in care remains stronger than ever. We are eager to build upon our achievements and create even more meaningful impacts in our community. This year promises to be dynamic and engaging, with a full calendar of events and training opportunities designed to support and strengthen our carer community. From celebratory gatherings like Mother's Day and Father's Day to our regular Carer Connection events and informative morning teas, we create spaces for connection, learning, and mutual support. We are excited to announce our participation in initiatives like the CEO Sleepout, where together, we aim to raise funds, awareness and support for homelessness in our community. Our comprehensive training program, which includes essential first aid, cultural awareness, trauma and brain development and e-safety, demonstrates our commitment to equipping carers with the necessary skills and knowledge to support the children in their care. Stay connected! If you haven’t already, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to hear about exciting events and activities coming your way. Be sure to check out our website for the latest updates, and keep an eye on your inbox for emails and ENews—there’s always something great to discover! With our expanding team and improved support services, we are excited to offer even greater assistance. Our organisation now includes more CASO Officers, enhanced administrative support, and a one-year pilot program for our dedicated Carer Assessment team. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible support and to increase the number of foster and kinship carers so that we can support more children. We deeply value the strength of our community, and we sincerely thank all individuals, carers, and stakeholders who have supported us in our shared vision for 2024. We look forward to continuing this journey together in 2025, aiming to make it a year of growth, achievement, and positive change for children and families across the Northern Territory. FKCANT is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need advice, assistance resolving matters with Department of Children and Families (DCF), access to training, or opportunities to connect with other carers, our experienced team is ready to help. Engage with us today and be part of a strong, empowered care community!
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Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT invites all amazing mums to an exclusive Mother's Day celebration on Friday, 10 May 2024, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at Silks Darwin – Private Function Room, Buntine Rd, Fannie Bay NT 0820. The event is a perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day with blooming flowers, delicious food, and fun brain-teasing trivia. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with beautiful blooms and a beverage. The event will include a beautiful platter lunch featuring a curated selection of culinary delights expertly prepared by Silks Darwin. Guests will also engage in some friendly competition with a captivating trivia session designed to test their general knowledge and share heartwarming facts about motherhood. Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams, and guests can join in on the day and meet new mums! This is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow mothers in an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie, foster new friendships, and celebrate the shared journey of motherhood. The RSVP date is Tuesday, 7 May 2024. FKCANT Carer Members are FREE to attend, and non-members are welcome to attend for a small fee of $20. To book tickets, please visit the Mother's Day Event Page. For more information about the event, please contact Rebecca at 1300 352 268 or email media@fkca.org.au .
Multi Award-Winning Director Brenda Matthews, proud Wiradjuri woman, Brings Her Powerful Story to Darwin. Join Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT (FKCANT) and Brenda for a special screening & a reflective discussion on her documentary "The Last Daughter”. Multi-award-winning director, author, and speaker, Brenda Matthews, is set to captivate audiences in Darwin. Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT in partnership with our sponsor Charles Darwin University invites the community to a special screening, book signing and reflective discussion on Brenda’s documentary, "The Last Daughter." Brenda is renowned for her documentary and literary work, "The Last Daughter." This narrative chronicles her personal journey within the child protection system, her experiences of being placed under the care of loving white foster parents, and her eventual reunification with her biological kin. Decades later, she embarked on a quest to locate her former foster family and discover where she truly belongs. "The Last Daughter," allows audiences to see through the lens of an Aboriginal woman with her feet in two worlds; connected to both Black and White Australia. It’s a powerful and personal story of reconciliation, healing, and the importance of maintaining connection to both worlds. We hope this will start conversations and inspire the nation. We feel privileged to welcome Brenda Matthews as our guest and to share her moving story with our community," expressed Amanda Thompson, CEO of Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT. "In 'The Last Daughter,' Brenda's account provides a deep understanding of the journey through grief and loss, exploring themes of attachment, connection, belonging, and identity from the unique perspectives of child in care, foster parents, and biological kin." This acclaimed documentary, recipient of the Social Justice Award 2024, Winner of Best Documentary at the Adelaide Film Festival 2022 and the Best Australian Film at Gold Coast Film Festival 2023. It is nominated for Best Documentary in this year’s prestigious Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards (AACTA) and was nominated for Best Director in a Debut Feature Film at the Australian Directors Guild (ADG) Awards 2023. The documentary has gained global acclaim and international recognition awarded the ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) of Santa Barbara Tri-Countries Stand Up Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February 2024. FKCANT is the peak body for foster and kinship carers across the Northern Territory, providing recruitment, support, training, and advocacy services. As the peak body, we represent the voices of foster and kinship carers. We ensure those voices are heard by government and other decision-makers so that carers are supported as they take on one of the most challenging and rewarding roles in our community. It is our role to make sure the out-of-home care sector supports carers and children through their journey together. We assist foster and kinship carers to transform children’s lives, and we work with the wider sector to develop and share best practice. As the peak body, we work to ensure all children and young people in the out-of-home care sector have a positive experience within a loving, nurturing, and stable family. We know and respect the difference this will make to their lives. We seek to create vital change so that the foster care sector in the Northern Territory is the very best it can be. FKCANT are hosting the event at Charles Darwin University, Mal Nairn Auditorium. The event will take place from 8:45 am to 1:00 pm on Friday April 12 and Saturday 13 April 2024. Tickets are available to the public, starting at $25 for general admission, $15 for CDU staff and students, and concession holders, and free admission to Territory Families, Housing and Communities (TFHC) volunteer foster and kinship carers. Tickets can be purchased through https://www.trybooking.com/CPPMQ or FKCANT website www.fkca.org.au/events-and-training. For media inquiries or interview requests with Brenda Matthews, please contact Rebecca Webber at Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT Incorporated on 1300 352 268 or at media@fkca.org.au .
