The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) has launched a new service to support Victorian kinship and foster families.
Announced by the Minister for Child Protection and Family Services, Colin Brooks, DFFH’s new Care Support Help Desk service has been set up to help carers access important information and vital documents for children in their care, including birth certificates and Medicare information.
“The new service also eases the administrative burden on Child Protection practitioners, who will have more time to actively engage with children, families and carers,” Mr Brooks said.
“Kinship and foster carers do an outstanding job and these big-hearted Victorians from all walks of life deserve every bit of support we can give,” he said.
“Ensuring carers have quicker access to the information and documents they need will make a big difference for thousands of carers and Child Protection practitioners.”
In a statement, DFFH said the new Care Support Help Desk would give tailored support to statutory Foster and Kinship carers caring for children and young people.
“The team will make sure they have critical documents they need when starting a care placement,” DFFH said.
“Staff will help existing statutory carers track vital documents for children in care, including Medicare details and birth certificates,” it said.
“The team also help existing Foster and Kinship Carers where there is child protection involvement, to track vital documents for children in care.”
The Department said the Help Desk operated during business hours, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and could be contacted on 1300 475 170.
