CAFFSA’s CEO, Melissa Gibson and other members of the National Foster Care Sustainability Group had a productive meeting on 11 February at Australian Parliament House with the Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Sarah Witty MP and a number of foster carers to discuss practical federal reforms to strengthen foster care sustainability. We met to progress our three federal priority asks to improve outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care:
- Immediate access to health and therapeutic supports, including a national Health Access Card for children in care
- Reduced financial pressure on carers through clear, tax-free treatment of carer allowances
- Equitable leave for foster carers by amending the National Employment Standards to recognise the role carers play
The discussion and engagement on these critical issues for foster carers and children in care with the Minister and Sarah Witty MP was very constructive. Learn more about the national foster care campaign: futureoffostercare.org.au
