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Kinship Care

Our kinship care services support children who are unable to live with their birth parents by placing them with a relative or people who they've had a significant relationship with.

The Kinship care program provides vital support to relatives to care for children and young people. This can also include neighbours, family friends or a member of a child’s community network who has had a significant relationship with the child.

Who are we supporting with kinship care?

Kinship care is the preferred form of care for a child or young person who is unable to live with their natural parents. Kinship care helps to preserve the child’s relationship with their family and maintains stability in a young person’s life.

Our kinship care team work with the child or young person and their networks, including carers, government child protection services and the child’s family to ensure a stable home environment and make sure that the best interests of the child are met.

How are services delivered?

OzChild kinship care services are delivered in the cities of Frankston, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Glen Eira, Bayside, Kingston and the Mornington Peninsula Shire.

Services are also provided to clients in Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia at the request of the Department of Health and Human Services. Referral to this program is only through Child Protection.

Kinship carer support

Our kinship carer group support meetings are a great way to meet other kinship carers in your area and provide a supportive environment in a relaxed and informal setting. Facilitated groups are held monthly in Highett, Frankston, Karingal and Rosebud. These groups are open and welcoming, and can help you access support services and increase your skills.

Information and advice

The Kinship Information and Advice Service assists kinship foster care families, children and young people, and the professionals who support them.

This kinship carer support may include:

  • Specialised advice
  • Relevant and up-to-date information about community services
  • Information regarding support groups for kinship carers.

This service can be accessed by all kinship foster carers and children, professionals, members of the extended family and broader community.

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Find out if Kinship Care is available in your state

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This program is available in your state

Click here to view the contact details for your local offices.

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Unfortunately, this program is not available in your state

More information about kinship care

Contact

For further information about our kinship care program, please contact our kinship care support team on (03) 9212 5600.

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