Strengthening the OzChild village of carers 

OzChild foster and kinship carers are the backbone of our organisation and our communities. Meeting them, whether it be a chance meeting in the office, or at one of our annual carer dinners, is always a highlight for Lisa.  

Strengthening the support for our carers has been a top priority for Lisa since she joined OzChild 10 years ago. 

“One of the wonderful outcomes of our organisation’s growth is our increased capacity to invest in those caring for children and young people. Foster and kinship carers, our lead tenant volunteers, and specialised foster carers give so much of themselves, their families, and their hearts. We must ensure they are supported in every possible way.”

The evolution of the carer celebration dinner, now an annual event in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, the development of OzChild’s carer strategy, the implementation of the Mockingbird Family model of support, and the growth of our Chance to Shine Scholarship program and Thriving Families grants mean we can focus on improving the day-to-day experience for our carers.

“Investing holistically across the organisation too means we can strengthen the support functions behind our services teams. Investing in our people, developing contemporary, connected systems, and providing opportunities for growth means we can bring out the best in our staff, and carers. This is incredibly important to me because it directly impacts our purpose and vision.”