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Innovative partnership delivering greater understanding of the care system

Two Wilderness School students walk with their arm around a small child.

AnglicareSA is working to provide social opportunities for young people in care to find connection, a sense of belonging and can develop social and life skills through a unique partnership with Wilderness School.

The Wilderness Program, co-developed by AnglicareSA and Wilderness School, provides peer support for children in care to develop social skills in a safe, inclusive, trauma-informed environment.

AnglicareSA Coordinator, Participation and Wellbeing, Rebecca Walker, said at the same time students in the Wilderness Duke of Edinburgh Program gained practical skills as well as a meaningful volunteer experience.

“Students plan weekly activities for foster families – including carers, biological, and foster children – providing one-on-one support for young people to engage in fun activities,” Rebecca said.

“Carers benefit from a support network of other carers while students learn about the care system and are empowered to make a positive impact supporting others, developing social skills, boosting self-esteem, and gaining a sense of community.”

“Through the program students have altered career paths towards community work, have joined mentoring programs, and at the same time enhanced their own mental health.

A student and a younger child write on a whiteboard.

More than 25 young people in care, seven families, and in excess of 50 students have participated in The Wilderness Program, and Rebecca said the results had surpassed expectations.

“Peer connections extend beyond the program,” Rebecca said. “There is school-wide involvement in fundraising and crafting gifts for children in care and post care.

“Children in care find the program to be like an ‘extended family’ and is a highlight of their week with carers noticing significant and positive changes.”

“There was a family with two young people that when they first arrived at the Wilderness Program, they found it difficult to spend time in large groups.

“Recently, they finished with the program as they had successfully joined community sporting teams broadening their connect with local community.”

The innovative community partnership demonstrates positive outcomes achievable through creative and inclusive strategies.

Its success has led to the adoption of the program model by more schools, including a program at St John’s Grammar School and trial outreach sessions.

Luke, Rosie, Lauren and Rebecca are smiling and standing in front of a wall painted with a colourful street art mural.
(left to right) Luke from AnglicareSA, Rosie and Lauren from Wilderness School, and Rebecca from AnglicareSA.

Wilderness School Head of Outdoor Education, Lauren Walker, said high-quality, real-life learning experiences such as the Wilderness Program provided deep connections that engaged the heart.

“Our girls have been empowered by serving something greater than themselves through this collaboration with AnglicareSA,” Lauren said.

“They have been able to demonstrate their ability to create something that is meaningful to the community beyond the school, connecting to real-world issues.

“We have seen the girl’s empathy and social cultural awareness develop with this hands-on experience working with people from different backgrounds and cultures.”

An important part of the care network

Rosy stands smiling in front of a park bench and some greenery and plants. She wears a short sleeve khaki blouse.

Respite care is crucial for foster children and their carers – providing a supportive environment for one and a much-needed break for the other – however few people are aware of that need.

Rosalie became a foster carer seven years ago when a young girl Amy*, aged nine, came to live with her.

Reflecting on her time as a full-time carer, Rosalie recognised the importance and impact of respite care.

“It’s so useful for the full-time carer to have a break,” Rosalie said. “A lot of young people that we’re going to come in contact with have trauma-based backgrounds so they require specialised type of care.

“I’ve learned a lot of that through AnglicareSA providing me opportunities to complete study in this field, which is great because knowing what to do is invaluable.

“Usually respite in a family that doesn’t have a child in care in it is usually done by family members, or friends, or a babysitter.

“But I think in fostering it’s better to have someone who’s specifically there to do respite and have some understanding of the background.”

While Amy self-placed back with her biological mum when she turned 16, Rosalie remains connected to her and part of her life.

“I see her every two weeks when I take her to appointments and we get to hang out, have something to eat and keep our connection,” Rosalie said.

“She’s young and has a lot of friends that she likes to hang out with, so it’s nice that I still get time with her.

“Plus, it’s a bit of respite for her mum as well which is great.”

While no longer a full-time foster carer for, the last year and half Rosalie has been continuing to make a difference in the lives of young people and their carers.

“Once a fortnight I visit a family who care for a five-year-old boy and his 18-month-old sister and spend time with them in their home while their carers can take a break and go out.

“I also spend time with another young boy picking him up from childcare while his carers are at work and walking him home and playing.

“It’s full-on attention for five hours straight and, quite frankly, most kids love that!”

Respite Foster Carers provide children regular or occasional time with another trusted adult within their support network giving primary foster carers a meaningful break from their caring role.

They become another member of a child’s extended network. The length of care can vary from a day or a weekend, to a short break over school holidays, and can be provided in a long-term foster carer’s home or as an outing.

AnglicareSA Manager Northern Foster Care, Marsha Lynch said some people may not be in a position to provide care in their own home but want to help a child or young person by being a part of their village. 

“This can be a way for people who are interested in fostering and may not have the space to provide care in their home to become involved in fostering and be a part of a team that supports children in care” Marsha said.

AnglicareSA is one of South Australia’s largest foster care providers, if you are interested in finding out more about becoming a carer, please visit anglicaresa.com.au/foster-care/

*Amy’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.

Fostering a sense of respite and care

Respite care is crucial for foster children and their carers – providing a supportive environment for one and a much-needed break for the other – however few people are aware of that need.

Respite Foster Carers provide children regular or occasional time with another trusted adult within their support network giving primary foster carers a meaningful break from their caring role.

They become another member of a child’s extended network. The length of care can vary from a day or a weekend, to a short break over school holidays, and can be provided in a long-term foster carer’s home or as an outing.

“Foster caring can come at a cost,” said Donna, one of AnglicareSA long-term foster carers. “I’ve given up work and all those adult conversations you get with the freedom of working. This is why respite is so important.

“Respite is a form of self-care and is as important as the care given to our young ones.

“Not only does it give us time to give one-on-one time to each child in our family, but also the opportunity to regroup and refresh so the level of care doesn’t waiver.

“These can be seen as sacrifices to our lifestyle and relationships, but we have the greatest support from our AnglicareSA care team and the Department for Child Protection, they’re always there making sure our support systems are nurtured.”

AnglicareSA Manager Northern Foster Care, Marsha Lynch said some people may not be in a position to provide care in their own home but want to help a child or young person by being a part of their village. 

“This (becoming a respite carer) can be a way for people who are interested in fostering but may not have the space to provide care in their home to become involved in fostering and be a part of a team that supports children in care” Marsha said.

AnglicareSA is one of South Australia’s leading foster care providers, but more respite carers are needed. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a carer, please visit anglicaresa.com.au/foster-care/

Fostering a connection to culture and heritage

Immersing First Nations children in care along with their carers in a cultural experience was the focus of a camp in the Northern Flinders Ranges at the end of April.

Facilitated by AnglicareSA’s Foster Care Services and the team at Iga Warta, the camp on the land of the Adnyamathanha People – People of the Rocks – is part of a strong commitment to First Nations children to ensure that no child leaves AnglicareSA care without culture.

A total of 12 families, including 28 children, spent three nights camping under the guidance of Uncle Terry Coulthard and Aunty Glenise Coulthard learning about kinship structure, laws, and Creation stories, while also visiting sacred sites and to gain an understanding of the importance of sharing experiences on Country.

Foster carer Sam said it was a privilege to be welcomed onto Adnyamathanha land.

“We were welcomed with open arms,” she said. “They put us up in accommodation, fed us, taught us about the land, language, and traditions. We sang songs and they took us on tours of their land including through rocky creek beds to see artwork in caves from more than 34,000 years ago.

“We walked paths of families who were forced to move on (not that long ago) and heard heartbreaking stories about the lives of those families.

“We listened to stories with our feet in the sand of creek beds and heard many stories of love, happiness, and heartbreak. It’s hard to explain the emotion we felt at times.”

For carers Sarah and Paul, the camp was an eye-opening opportunity to come together as a community and develop a greater understanding of culture.

“What an amazing group of committed people helping to go beyond our ‘academic’ understanding,” they said. “We have so many incredible memories and a deeper understanding and connection to the Adnyamathanha people and their culture. 

“We believe this will support us in connecting with our children’s cultural group in a much more meaningful way.”

The camp also served as a connection for carers, helping to create a community of people with similar lived experiences that they can reach out to in the future.

Likewise, the children in care also connected with others they had never met.

Carer Jayne said: “The kids talked about their new friends all the way home. We have already caught up with a young person who has become a friend, and we are planning a camping trip with him and his family very soon.”

AnglicareSA Principal Aboriginal Practitioner Samantha Gollan said the camp reiterated to her that we were on the right track for First Nations children in care.

“There was a sense of belonging and a deep connection to culture and to each other,” she said.

“The impact for foster carers was huge, for them to see and feel that culturally, we are raised by our community and are stronger for our culture was something special.

“Many conversations were had about our history, about intergenerational trauma, and things that you can’t read in books.  For me, I came home feeling culturally re-energised.”

AnglicareSA would like to thank the CMV Group Foundation for supporting this year’s camp with funding. The CMV Group has been a longstanding partner of AnglicareSA, and we are grateful for their willingness to extend their support to new initiatives such as this camp.

A journey of love

Donna and Lloyd were busy parents working full-time but they knew they wanted to give back to children in care.

Through her work as a police officer, Donna was exposed the reality of life for some children. This, and a desire to grow their family, inspired Donna and Lloyd to welcome their first foster child into their family with daughter Grace.

Now, more than 10 years later, the couple have been long-term foster carers to two children.

“I couldn’t bear the thought that these children could be living somewhere without love, it’s hard to imagine,” Donna said.

Donna and Lloyd still have regular contact with their first foster child – who is now 19 years old – who moved out of the family home to live independently.

Their second – an eight-year-old – has lived with Donna, Lloyd, their adopted greyhound and three chickens for just over a year.

While their foster care journey hasn’t been without challenges, Donna and Lloyd said the positive times far outweighed the challenges.

They encouraged anyone considering foster care to take the plunge.

“I think people hear more of the good than the bad and there is definitely a stigma around foster care and foster children,” Lloyd said.

“But I think if you want to do it, how much time you have doesn’t matter. They’re part of the family and you make it happen.”

AnglicareSA is one of South Australia’s largest foster care providers, if you are interested in finding out more about becoming a carer, please visit anglicaresa.com.au/foster-care/