Foster Care Victoria

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16/08/07 - Article from theage.com.au

The federal government will give carers of children with disabilities $1,000 a year under legislation introduced into parliament.

Families Minister Mal Brough said the money would help about 130,000 children, their families and carers.

It would help pay for respite, equipment like home hoists and therapy.

Mr Brough said the $1,000 would be paid for each child under 16 who attracted a carer allowance.

The first payment will be made this October and, in subsequent years, July.

In separate legislation, welfare to work rules will be changed to help carers of children.

Workforce Participation Minister Sharman Stone said principal carers of children, like grandparents, who were not formal foster carers under state or territory law, would be exempt from welfare to work obligations.

The exemption would apply to carers who received a range of benefits, including the Parenting Payment and the Newstart Allowance.

Debate on both bills was adjourned.

COMMENT: This legislation mentioned in the article means that ‘principal carers’ of children who are not foster parents (eg grandparents) will be excempt from ‘Welfare to Work’ obligations. That is good news for kinship carers, but still leaves grey areas for foster parents who may be obliged under current legislation to look for work in between placements, thus reducing their potential availability for future placements. Carers often need a break in between full time placements, and should be able to do so without pressure to find work within a short period of time. The proposed reform is a step in the right direction, but not enough.
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