ppss.org.au

Kinship carers (also called kith and kin carers) are relatives or friends of the child. In reality, most kinship carers are grandparents, particularly grandmothers.

When calls come in from kinship carers, it is important to know if DHS is involved and if so, whether the carers are receiving fortnightly caregiver payments from DHS. They will only be receiving these payments if the children have been placed with them through the Child Protection system. If the carers have agreed to take the children prior to child protection intervention (many relatives want to avoid children having contact with the child protection system), then they will not be eligible for caregiver payments or the quarterly educational and health payments (up to $847 per year) and will not even be counted as kinship carers by DHS.

To summarise – when children are placed through the Child Protection system, their carers are paid fortnightly payments by DHS; when children are not placed through the Child Protection system, their carers receive no DHS payments and are not counted statistically as kinship carers.

Occasionally you may receive a call from a relative or friend who is thinking about whether they should take on the care of a child. Without influencing them either way, you should explain the above to them, so that, whatever they decide, they understand the consequences of their choice.

Different states offer substantially different amounts of support to kinship carers and this can be confusing and difficult for those carers who move from one state to another.

When DHS is involved, caregivers can request

• Other financial assistance - medical/school expenses from DHS (see above for quarterly educational and health payments)
• Assistance to buy beds/clothes etc for the children
• Assistance with referrals to professionals - DHS should do the referrals, however, if they take too long, find a professional, ask for a quote and then submit to DHS. The response, in terms of what is provided, depends on the region.
• Support at case meetings – carers are ‘allowed’ to bring along a support – however, they need to advise DHS worker of name and relationship/organisation of support person prior to meeting. The meeting can also be in the form of teleconference when distance would preclude participation.
• Support from different levels of contact within the agency – e.g. if the carer is having difficulties contacting the caseworker, ask for the Team Leader, and if the Team Leader is not helpful, ask for the Unit Manager. It is important to always be diplomatic when speaking to the Team Leader or Unit Manager….and keep mentioning what is in ‘the child’s best interest’.
• Support for access arrangements - if the caregiver fears for her/his and the child's safety, then s/he can ask that the access be supervised by DHS or conducted in a Children's Contact Centre.

Children's Court

• Carers can be involved in Children’s Court proceedings – however, they need to go to court to ask all the parties involved if they can become 'a party to the proceedings'. It is preferable to have legal representation.
• If a child is over 8 years, then a legal representative will be appointed. The representative is supposed to speak to the child, so insist that they visit, rather than just have a telephone call. Find out the name and ring them if they haven't called to make appointment.
• Guardianship and custody – Custody to the Secretary Order still entitles parents to guardianship, although DHS can over-ride parents' wishes if these are not in the children's best interests.

Centrelink entitlements

• The booklet ‘Are you a grandparent (or relative) caring for children’ is very useful in setting out entitlements.
• Family Tax Benefit A (assessed on combined income) and Family Tax Benefit B (extra assistance for one income families).
• Child Care Benefit - helps with cost of child care such as reduced child care fees. It is payable only if the carer needs to be working/studying/training. Need to speak to the registered child care centre about application.
• Grandparent Child Care Benefit – available if the grandparent is the primary carer of a grandchild - 50 hours of free child care per week in a registered child care centre – this is only for grandparents in receipt of an income support payment (pension), which can be a part payment.
• Baby bonus / immunisation allowance – applications need to be lodged within 26 weeks of child's birth.

  For information contact 13 61 50

• Health Care cards - available for all children not living with their parents (Foster Child Health Care Card). Available to grandparents who are caring for a child through either informal or formal care arrangement. 'Foster Child' is the generic term that Centrelink uses if the child is not with parents – it doesn't mean they are in Foster Care (need to be really clear about this). The card has a FO after the number – which is the code for a Foster Child Health Care Card, rather than the other low income Health Care Card. The Foster Child Health Care Card enables the child to receive the Educational Maintenance Allowance which is applied for through the Education Department – speak to the school.

Medicare

Arrangements can be made to have the child copied onto the caregivers’ Medicare card. However, even if you do not have the child's Medicare card, you can still claim the Medicare benefit if you have a receipt in your name.

For more information contact 13 20 11

Child Support (from parents)

To claim this, the child needs to be with the carer at least 30 per cent of the time.

Child Support Agency 13 1272

Mirabel Foundation

A children's charity in Victoria and NSW, which assists children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use. Mirabel assists the children and their (kinship & kith) carers with advocacy, referrals, emotional and practical support including recreational activities, camps, carer support groups, & phone counselling.

Phone (03) 9527 9422
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website www.mirabelfoundation.org.au