Child and Family Focus SA

Whether it’s for the weekend, respite support for carer families, short term or longer term, you can help .

To find out more visit www.fostercare.sa.gov.au

Department for Child Protection SA
Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers - SA Inc
Child and Family Focus SA

Today we’re giving a big shout out to the finalists of the Outstanding Service Award – Sector Development category for the 2024 SA Child Protection Awards.

This category celebrates new, innovative research or resources that support the child protection and family support sector to improve outcomes for children connected with care.

The finalists are:
- Centacare, Unify Family Reunification Services
- Goodstart Early Learning and Thinka, Safeguarding Children Learning Initiative
- Flinders University Institute of Mental Health & Wellbeing, Mockingbird Family Researchers.

Thank you to Child and Family Focus SA for sponsoring this award.

Go to childprotection.sa.gov.au/awards to see all the finalists.

Winners will be announced on Friday 6 September.

CAFFSA’s 3 Quick Question’s is back and it really got us thinking. Kerry Beck, the Director of Safer Family Services with the SA Department of Human Services reminds us what child protection is – with a broader definition than the one we box ourselves into. Kerry’s generosity and candour also really got us thinking about how our personal histories can shape not only how we think and work, but also the empathy and compassion that is the key to successful work in any part of this field. Thanks Kerry!

This week’s ‘3 Quick Questions’ features Jackie Bray, Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection 🌟

Hear about her journey, her vision for the sector, and what drives her passion every day!

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We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Masters in Communications student, Katarina Bozic, and her Program Director, Dr. Fae Heaselgrave, for their exceptional accomplishments. Kat, your contributions have greatly enriched our team, and your work has significantly enhanced our organisation.

Katarina, under the mentorship of Melissa (who was unable to attend due to a conference in Sydney), delivered a presentation on her 10-month Professional Project with CAFFSA. Karryn was delighted to step in for Melissa, offering valuable support.

This presentation marked Katarina’s final task before completing her degree. She outlined every phase of her project, from research and planning to pitching and implementing strategies.

Communications work is often underappreciated, yet it demands considerable time and effort to execute strategic communication effectively.

Congratulations, Kat! 🎉

From volunteer to advocate: Nat Cook MP shares her inspiring journey in our sector, driven by a lifelong commitment to helping the vulnerable. Her poignant reflections, including personal tragedy, shape her determination to effect change. Her advice to young people? Believe in yourself, be brave, and embrace support. Sammy D Foundation

This week’s 3 Quick Questions features Arabella Stravolemos, Social Worker and CAFFSA’s Lived Experience Consultant.

We were delighted to welcome Bella’s expertise at our policy and strategy Board Meeting earlier this month. Her unique insights, informed by her own care experience, are essential as we develop our positions, submissions, and strategic direction.

We are proud to have Bella as a consultant on our team!

University of South Australia

So much fabulous work in our sector. Nominate early, nominate often!

Do you know someone conducting ground-breaking research or developing innovative resources for the child protection system?

We hope you’ll nominate them for the Outstanding Service Award – Sector Development category at the SA Child Protection Awards, held in partnership with Napcan.

The are 12 categories including the Sector Development Award, which is sponsored by Child and Family Focus SA.
Nominations close on Monday 27 May at 11.59pm.

Follow the link for a full list of categories.

👉 https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/child-protection-initiatives/sa-child-protection-awards

When we invited the South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connolly to answer ‘3 Quick Questions’ for us, she chose to lead by example by amplifying the voice of children and young people rather than her own.

The Commissioner chose the postcard shown here from one of the 65,000 postcards she has received via her ‘Tell Helen’ Student Voice Postcard initiative, which is one simple, yet effective way for South Australian children to know that someone is listening to them. The postcards are distributed annually to 8 – 12-year-olds via their primary schools.

In 2023, 18,328 South Australian children completed postcards. Reports the Commissioner writes each year summarise what children have told her and can be used to inform leaders and service providers in service planning. If services are co-designed with children in this way, they’re much more likely to benefit from them. It also helps children feel valued, listened to, understood, and respected by adults. Find out more about this initiative via the following link: https://commissionerspostcards.com.au/

Stay tuned every Friday for more insights from leaders in the vulnerable families and child protection field, as well as individuals sharing their lived experiences!