Join us as we unpack kinship care, a vital arrangement where children who can't live with their biological parents are raised by relatives or close community members. You'll learn why this is Australia's preferred out-of-home care solution and how it aligns with the Child Placement Principle. We'll clarify the difference between known and unknown kinship carers and reveal the critical role of kinship care assessments in ensuring child safety, meeting their needs, and identifying potential risks and necessary supports.

Yet, these care arrangements often face significant hurdles. We'll examine the stresses of emergency placements, the intricate nature of pre-existing relationships, the challenges of limited placements that can push practitioners to seek unknown kin, and the common frustrations with bureaucracy and inadequate support for carers. To truly grasp the unique emotional world of kinship carers, we'll introduce the concept of ambiguous loss. Ultimately, we'll highlight the ongoing initiatives to enhance kinship care practice through specialised tools, culturally responsive methods, and relationship-based practice.

Don’t forget to send your practice stories or podcast topics to relationalpractice01@gmail.com

Also, check out our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RelationalPractice

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

Join Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey, private practice social workers in NSW, Australia, as they delve into the critical topic of foster care assessment on this episode of "Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast".

This discussion explores the nuances of assessing foster carers' capacity, differentiating it from parenting capacity assessments. Jodie and Rose will share their insights and practical experiences, examining key areas that should be considered in foster care assessments, including motivation to foster, personal background, household dynamics, parenting capacity, and compliance checks.

The episode also highlights the current global and Australian shortage of foster carers, discussing its causes and consequences, such as the increased use of emergency accommodation and residential care for vulnerable children. They'll touch upon the unique motivations of foster carers, and the essential qualities beyond specific skills that contribute to successful caring.

Tune in as they consider the impact of carer shortages on children, the potential for approving inappropriate carers, and the critical need for targeted support to prevent burnout and promote carer retention.

Don’t forget to send your practice stories or podcast topics to relationalpractice01@gmail.com

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

Join Rose Mackey and Jodie Park for a vital and in-depth discussion that demystifies formal parenting capacity assessments. They'll answer the questions you've always had: Why are these crucial evaluations conducted, and what do they truly involve?

In this episode, Rose and Jodie explore the fundamental purpose of these assessments, revealing how their aims shift depending on the context. You'll learn how they inform critical decisions in child protection cases, guide judicial outcomes in court settings, and assess suitability for adoption and fostering.

They then pull back the curtain on the "how-to," detailing the comprehensive areas covered. Rose and Jodie will walk you through examining a child's unique needs, understanding a parent's history and functioning (including mental health, substance use, and trauma), evaluating direct parenting skills, and assessing environmental and social supports. They'll also delve into the critical aspects of parent-child interaction and a parent's capacity for insight and change.

But it's not just about the process. Rose and Jodie shine a light on the essential skills required for this complex work: from sharp analytical and observational abilities to sophisticated communication and writing. They discuss the critical need for deep theoretical knowledge – from child development and attachment theory to trauma-informed practice – and specialized expertise in challenging areas like abuse, addiction, sexual abuse, mental health, and family violence. Understanding "the system" itself is also key.

Whether you're a practitioner, a student, or simply curious about how these assessments shape the lives of children and families, this episode offers an invaluable look into the intricacies of formal parenting capacity assessments.

Don’t forget to send your practice stories or podcast topics to relationalpractice01@gmail.com

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone