About this resource
Kinship carers often step in at short notice with little support. This checklist covers financial support, legal arrangements, school and health for the child, the carer's own health and wellbeing, respite, cultural connection and peer support, with space to plan next steps.
Purpose
To make sure kinship carers are connected with the practical, legal and emotional support they need.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Social workers. Also relevant for community services and case workers, educators and school support staff.
Client or participant group: Kinship carers and the social workers supporting them.
Practice setting: Child and family services, health, schools and community services.
Suggested uses
- Kinship care assessments
- Supporting new kinship placements
- Reviewing support
- Referral planning
Instructions for practitioners
- Acknowledge the carer's commitment and the changes they have made.
- Check current state or territory supports and entitlements.
- Support cultural connection, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
- Link carers with peer support and legal advice.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Tick what you have and what you need.
- Talk with your worker about next steps.
Accessibility considerations
Interpreters and flexible completion.
Scope and limitations
A practice checklist. Supports and legal arrangements differ between states and territories.
Research basis
Carer interventions such as psychoeducation, counselling and respite have small to moderate benefits for carer burden, depression and wellbeing. Parent support that builds positive interactions, consistent responses and emotional communication improves child behaviour and family wellbeing.
- Kaminski, J. W., Valle, L. A., Filene, J. H., & Boyle, C. L. (2008). A meta-analytic review of components associated with parent training program effectiveness. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36(4), 567–589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9201-9
- Sorensen, S., Pinquart, M., & Duberstein, P. (2002). How Effective Are Interventions With Caregivers? An Updated Meta-Analysis. The Gerontologist, 42(3), 356–372. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/42.3.356
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
