2024 Foster and Kinship Care Conference
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland
Governor of Queensland
The Governor was born in Sydney in 1963. After graduating from Medicine at Sydney University in 1986, she commenced her medical career at Westmead Hospital. During that time, she married, had a daughter, Rebecca, and transitioned to Medical Management, completing a Master of Business Administration at Macquarie University.
The Governor moved to Queensland in 1994 to become Director of Medical Services at the Rockhampton Hospital. In 1999, she relocated to Brisbane to take up the role of Executive Director of Medical Services at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and served on various workforce committees.
In August 2005, the Governor was appointed to the role of Chief Health Officer for Queensland, with responsibility for leading the State’s preventative health and public health agendas, including response to public health emergencies. In January 2020, when the COVID-19 virus outbreak was declared a pandemic, the Governor became the State Health Incident Controller.
Her Excellency was sworn-in as the 27th Governor of Queensland on 1 November 2021.
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Your feedback helps Queensland Foster and Kinship Care deliver quality services.
Online feedback form
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Managing your Symptoms
If you’re unsure what kind of care you may need, here is a COVID care self-checker you can use: COVID Self Checker.
COVID - 19 Carer Survey Results
Queensland Foster and Kinship Care undertook a quick survey to gather information relating to carer household experiences during the unprecendented times that have come with COVID-19.
The COVID-19 crisis has brought with it unchartered territory in the Child Protection System and QFKC wanted to know what has been difficult and what has actually worked well for the carer community.
Click Here to Download the Survey Results
Telehealth for Foster Carers
Telehealth is a convenient and effective way of providing therapy, education and case management services to clients who may not be able to attend office based appointments in person. Telehealth services can include telesessions (live video), phone calls, text reminders and resource sharing. Telehealth services can be accessed from anywhere using a computer, laptop, smartphone, iPad or tablet and an internet connection.
Click here to view the fact sheet
Resources for Children
Below are some great resources for children to use during this period of time. Please click on the links below to access them:
Decision Making Framework
Child Safety is a critical frontline service and elements of service delivery to children, young people, parents, families and carers must continue in the context of COVID-19.
Service delivery will recognise the importance of everyone’s health, be consistent with expert health guidance, and uphold, as much as is possible, the rights held by children, young people, parents, families and carers.
The principles of the Strengthening Families Protecting Children Framework for Practice assist us at this challenging time:
Click here to download the Decision Making Framework Fact Sheet
Resource for people with disabilities to make a plan for COVID-19
Below are a great range of resources developed by Queenslanders with Disability Network.
Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness and Planning for COVID-19
What is Coronavirus? Fact Sheet
What does self quarantine mean? Fact Sheet
Business Continuity Planning in Residential Services
This guide is to assist residential care services in the development of plans around service delivery during the ongoing pandemic, in recognition that children and young people in residential care are a highly vulnerable cohort, and may exhibit behaviours which put them at greater risk of infection. Being prepared is one of the best ways to lessen the impact of an infectious disease outbreak like COVID-19.
Talking to children and young people about COVID-19
Red Cross Australia has assembled a helpful guide to help you speak to children and young people about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like adults, children are navigating something they have never experienced before. Finding the right way to talk to them about COVID-19 can help protect children and reduce their fear.
Children have a right to know what is going on, but as adults we have a responsibility to protect them from distress. There are ways to talk to children that will help limit their fears and address their concerns, including:
- Use age appropriate language.
- Show you are listening and their concerns are important to you.
- Explain you haven’t been through anything like this either but you know the world will keep spinning and the sun will come up each day.
- Remind them you are there to look after them
Access the guide here at the Red Cross website.
COVID-19 Assessment Advice
COVID-19 is presenting Child Safety, Foster and Kinship Care agencies and external assessors with a new range of complexities when needing to complete carer assessments. These FAQ’s aim to assist in these challenging times.
Stay at Home Toolkit for Foster and Kinship Carers
This toolkit has been put together as a resource to help carers of children and young people in foster care when children in your care are home for long periods of time, such as during times of restricted movement and physical distancing.
Coping Calendar
Our Vision
Queensland Foster and Kinship Care Inc.'s (QFKC) goal is to build strong communities by working collaboratively to attain quality Foster and Kinship Care for children and young people. This is achieved through the provision of Support, Advice and Advocacy to Foster, Kinship and Provisional Carers and their families. Through these services QFKC achieves its vision to:
‘Leave No Child in Foster Care Behind’
QFKC works in partnership with all levels of government, funded services, communities and individuals to identify needs and find solutions.
Our Values
The core values on which the culture of Queensland Foster and Kinship Care is based are those of:
• Stakeholder Service • Integrity • Respect • Collaboration • Learning • Client Focus
These values ensure responsive and accountable service to the Foster and Kinship Carers of Queensland.
Our Aim
The Queensland Foster and Kinship Care Inc. Stakeholder Service Charter provides an outline of the level of service individuals can expect when accessing our services.
Definition:
Stakeholder: means approved Foster Carers, Kinship Carers, Provisionally Approved Carers, person/s, group/s or organisation/s that have an interest or concern in QFKC.
What you can expect from us:
Quality responsive services
We will attend to you as quickly as we are able. This means that:
- we will answer the phone promptly
- if the person you talk to cannot answer your enquiry, they will put you in touch with someone who can give you an appropriate response
- we will respond to all your letters and emails
- if you lodge a complaint, we will endeavour to work with you to understand and address your concerns. Please see the contact details below should you wish to lodge a complaint.
Courtesy and respect
We will treat you with courtesy and respect.
Fair and equal services
Our staff are aware of the cultural diversity of our communities. We will provide services in a fair and equitable way.
Accountability
You will receive up-to-date and accurate information. Whenever possible, our staff will explain the decision-making processes as they impact on you. If we cannot assist you, we will do our best to refer you to someone who can if and when we are able to.
Confidentiality
We will treat your personal and confidential information with sensitivity. We will collect, store and use your personal and confidential information responsibly. Please note that in some circumstances, we may be required to release your information without your consent.
How you can assist us:
Tell us your needs
Help us to understand your needs so that we can give you the best possible service. You can do this by talking with our staff and participating in the consultation activities we conduct. We will listen to you.
Tell us if things change for you
Please tell us if there are changes we should know about, for example, changes to your contact details or circumstances.
Your Concerns, Complaints and Compliments
QFKC values our relationships with Stakeholders and aims to resolve complaints and disputes to the satisfaction of our stakeholders. We welcome feedback and suggestions about the Charter or any aspects of the service.
If something happens that you like or do not like about our service, please let us know. We want to ensure your issues are heard. You can tell us in a way that suits you:
- Talk to a Staff member or Manager
- Complete and submit the online form
Contact us online at - Call us on 07 3256 6166 (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday)
- Write to us at:
Queensland Foster and Kinship Care
7/10 Depot Street, Banyo Qld 4014
Other avenues for review of complaints
If you are not satisfied with the way in which a complaint has been dealt with, there may be other avenues for your complaint to be reviewed
Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs
Central Complaints Team
Phone: 1800 080 464 or for online feedback contact:
