Why we need more KARI Carers.
Sadly the number of children and young people entering care continues to increase.
At present, in NSW there are over 14,000 children and young people in out-of-home care, including more than 6,500 Aboriginal children. This highlights the alarming statistic that approximately 46% of children and young people in care are Aboriginal, despite Aboriginal children comprising only 7% of the overall population.
KARI is looking for Sydney based carers who are:
How does KARI support carers?
Dedicated Caseworker
All KARI carers will be assigned a caseworker to offer you support and guidance on any given placement. In addition, they’ll visit you a minimum of once a month to ensure the child’s needs are met while in your care, as well as supporting you in your important role as carer.
Carer Training
KARI ensures that its carers have the opportunity to participate in ongoing training programs. We have a Training and Support Officer who works directly with our carers to tailor individualised training opportunities to meet their needs. We facilitate several in-house training programs.
Fortnightly Allowance
All carers will be provided with a fortnightly allowance, scaled with regard to the age of the young people in care and the level of care they require. This is to help cover the costs involved with providing quality care for the child in your care. Paid per child, the allowance does not count towards your taxable income.
24 Hour Support
KARI has a 24-hour phone support service, therefore should a crisis arise, you won’t have to manage it alone.
KARI Cultural Unit
All KARI carers have access to the KARI Foundation Cultural Unit, which offers ongoing cultural support.
KARI Clinic
All KARI carers have access to the KARI Clinic, which provides multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions.
What types of care can I provide?
Respite
Respite Carers look after children for short periods or on regular occasions. Generally, respite carers provide fulltime carers a break or meet particular needs of a child or young person. For example, a respite carer might have a child from Friday to Sunday once per month on a recurring basis.
Short-Term
These Carers support a child on a full time basis for a shorter or defined period. Often short-term carers will care for a child whilst more permanent arrangements are being assessed or explored.
Immediate Placement
These Carers take children into their home when they first enter care. You will be required to support the child whilst Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), the courts and KARI assess the viability of the child returning home or to family. These Carers will be required to support and encourage restoration or family placement where it is in the child’s best interest.
Restoration
These Carers take children into their home when they first enter care. You will be required to support the child whilst Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), the courts and KARI assess the viability of the child returning home or to family. These Carers will be required to support and encourage restoration or family placement where it is in the child’s best interest.
Specialist Carers
KARI is committed to the ongoing recruitment of carers with specialist skills who are able to support unique placements. We regularly have a need for Carers with the following skills; specialist behaviour management, health or nursing experience, education professionals, single Carers without other children in the home and much more.
Long Term
On occasion, KARI do require long term carers after all family options for children have been explored. Please talk to your Assessment Officer if you are able to provide a placement for a child into adulthood.
Who can become a carer?
Anyone can apply to become a carer.
Whether you’re single, married, divorced or in a same sex relationship, we would love to hear from you. Every child has different needs, so having a variety of carers on board means we can make the best possible match for both the child and carer. While every carer applicant is assessed on their individual merit, we are looking for carers who:
Safe Home Environment
Stable Relationship Status
Over the age of 21
And can demonstrate a good support network of family and friends, personal resilience, the ability to work well with others and the ability to provide child focused nurture.