Community kinship, or Informal kinship care refers to the care of a child or children by relatives such as grandparents, who take on the primary care giving role. These arrangements are private and exist within family networks, without the involvement of a court order. This means that the legal guardianship remains with the child’s parents.
Community Kinship Care Program
The Community Kinship Care program is a strengths-based support program that offers the following:
- An Community Kinship Care Support and Liaison Pilot Service in North West Tasmania delivered by Mission Australia
- Family support for community kinship carers statewide, provided by Baptcare in the North and South West, and Mission Australia in the North West and South East. This service includes:
- Information, advice, practical support, referrals, and peer support options
- Brokerage funding to support child health and wellbeing
- Flexible respite options to support informal kinship care arrangements
- Community-based respite services, delivered by Glenhaven Family Care and Kennerley Children’s Homes
- New training opportunities provided by The Foster and Kinship Carers Association of Tasmania (FKAT)
- An information portal that provides links to information and support services