Advocacy and support
At a Glance
- You are not expected to do this alone.
- Support is available at every stage of your carer journey.
- You can ask for help, advice, or advocacy at any time.
- There are independent organisations that can stand alongside you.
- After-hours and crisis support is available 24/7.
AI
In a Crisis? Get Help Now
After-hours and crisis support
If there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 000.
You can contact the 24-hour Child Protection Helpline on 132 111
(TTY 1800 212 936 for carers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impaired) if you are worried about a child or young person, including if:
- you are concerned about the child or young person's safety or wellbeing
- you don’t know where the child or young person is
- the child or young person has run away — even if you believe you know where they are
- the child or young person has been detained by police
- the child or young person hasn’t returned from a family contact visit when expected.
If you are a carer with a non-government agency, you can also contact your agency’s after-hours support line for advice and help.
You’re not expected to manage these situations alone — support is always available.
You’re not doing this alone
Caring for children and young people can be deeply rewarding — and at times challenging. The kind of support you need may change as your experience grows and as the child’s needs change.
DCJ and non-government agencies offer a range of practical and emotional supports, including:
- After-hours and crisis support
- Training and learning opportunities
- Carer support groups (including for grandparents)
- Respite and childcare
- Access to psychologists
- Advocacy support
- Financial assistance
- Referrals to specialist services
Tip for carers: If you’re unsure what support is available, start by talking to your caseworker.
“The best caseworkers recognise your abilities and experience
not just as a carer, but as a person.”
Vikki, carer, Southern Highlands
Sometimes you may need someone to stand alongside you — to clarify decisions, raise concerns, or make sure your voice is heard.
You have options.
Your Caseworker
Your first point of contact. Most issues can be resolved by speaking openly with your caseworker.
Independent Advocacy
If you feel you need extra support, or if concerns aren’t being resolved, you can contact:
- Carers for Kids NSW
- AbSec (for Aboriginal carers and carers of Aboriginal children)
These organisations are free to carers and independent of DCJ. They can:
- Provide advice
- Help you prepare for meetings
- Attend meetings with you
- Support you through complaints or allegations processes
Advocacy
Advocacy and support services can assist with:
- Accessing training near you
- Navigating challenges in your caring role
- Resolving concerns about casework support
- Understanding family contact arrangements
- Navigating allegations and reportable conduct processes
- Medicare, Centrelink and other Commonwealth matters
- Foster care authorisation
- Connecting with peer support or mentoring
| Who | How they help | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Caseworker | Your first point of contact for day-to-day care planning, financial questions, referrals to specialist services and support. | |
| Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation (AbSec) | Specialist advocacy, support and training tailored for Aboriginal carers and those caring for Aboriginal children. | 1800 888 698 absec.org.au |
Carers for Kids (NSW) formerly known as My Forever Family | Advocacy, expert advice, support and training for all authorised foster, relative and kinship carers, guardians, and adoptive parents. | 1300 782 975 carersforkidsnsw.org.au |
Specialist support services
Caring for a child who has experienced trauma can require extra therapeutic support. Clinical and psychological services are available for children and carers.
Examples include
| Service name | Best for | How to access |
|---|---|---|
| Online Carer Drop-in Sessions | All carers (foster, rel/kin, guardianship - DCJ and NGO carers) looking for peer support and expert advice in a casual, voluntary online space. Facilitated by DCJ psychologists. | Online carer drop-ins |
| OurSPACE | Children under 15 in foster or kinship care who have experienced multiple placement changes. | Call 1300 381 581 or email OurSPACE |
| LINKS Trauma Healing | Evidence-based therapy to help children manage trauma symptoms and improve emotional wellbeing. Videos, resources, referrals & FAQs | LINKS |
| DCJ Psychologists | DCJ psychologists support children and young people in out-of-home care, as well as the carers who look after them. Their services are designed to meet individual needs and may include:
Psychologists can help with a range of issues, including:
| Speak to your DCJ caseworker for a referral. |
| Non-Gov Carers Psychologists | If you’re working with a non-government organisation, speak with your case manager to see if they have a clinical team or therapist who can support you. If they don’t, your agency will have access to additional carer support packages that your caseworker can explore with you. | Speak to your caseworker for support |
| Functional Family Therapy through Child Welfare. (FFT-CW®) | Therapeutic home-based support for relative or kin carers who have been caring for a child for 12+ months. | Referrals are made through DCJ. Speak to your caseworker. |
| Health Pathway | Work with your caseworker, however, carers can contact their local Health Pathway Coordinator for support navigating the health system and ensuring children and young people receive the right care at the right time. The coordinator can help with referrals, appointments, understanding health plans, and resolving any barriers to accessing services, making the process smoother and less stressful for both carers and children. | Contact list |
Speak with your caseworker about referrals
If English is not your first language, you have the right to a qualified interpreter.
- Family and friends cannot act as interpreters for formal matters.
- Children should never be used as interpreters.
To arrange support:
- Ask your caseworker, or
- Call TIS National on 131 450 (free service)
Interpreters can attend meetings in person or by phone.
Connecting with other carers
Many carers find strength in connecting with others who understand the journey.
Carer support groups across NSW offer:
- Peer support
- Practical advice
- Shared experiences
- Community connection
Groups often meet monthly.
Talk to your caseworker or Carers for Kids NSW on 1300 782 975 to find a group near you.
“Do it with love. Do it with a lot of patience.”
Paul, grandparent carer, Strathfield
The Grandparent, Relative and Kinship Carer Alliance (GRaKCA) is an advocacy group run by The Council on the Ageing (COTA ) that can put you in touch with support services and with other grandparent carers.
Some grandparent carers need a lot of support from their caseworkers as they get used to looking after a child or young person again. Others are very confident in their role, and feel they need very little assistance. Some grandparents like to apply for guardianship.
If you are a grandparent carer, it’s important to discuss your needs and circumstances with your caseworker, especially when raising pre-teens and teenagers. Think about joining a local grandparent carer support group or attending a parenting course if you feel you want to build your confidence.
cotansw.com.au
(02) 9286 3860 (Sydney)
Kinship Alliance Australia
Kinship Alliance Australia is here for ALL kinship carers:
* Headed by grandparents, other relatives, & people known to the child through friendship or community connection.
* Informal and formal (statutory)
* Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous
* In all States and Territories.
https://kinshipalliance.org.au/
"If you don’t step in and do it, what would happen to the kids that you intend to care for? Do it with love. Do it with a lot of patience. I don’t claim that I’m the best carer, but I certainly do it with love."
Paul, grandparent carer, Strathfield
Time away and extra support for you and the child or young person
Rest and shared care are healthy for carers and children.
Childcare services include preschool, long day care, vacation care, family day care and after-school care. Quality childcare can have a positive impact on a child’s development, language, social skills and behaviour. It can also make it possible for you to work, study, attend training or just have some time to yourself.
You will need to get caseworker approval for your child to attend an approved childcare centre for a specified number of hours or days. Approval will be recorded in the child’s Case Plan. If you are a DCJ carer, talk to your caseworker to see if you are eligible to get help with the cost of childcare.
You’ll need to:
- accept liability for the childcare centre fees
- arrange to be directly invoiced by the centre
- apply for the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate from Centrelink
- lodge the completed application form with Centrelink
- provide your caseworker with a copy of the lodgement receipt.
If you are a carer with a non-government agency, contact your caseworker for more information about your agency’s processes.
Planned time away can:
- Reduce stress
- Strengthen family wellbeing
- Give children positive new experiences
Respite may include:
- Camps or recreational activities
- Sports or creative programs
- Short overnight stays
- Support in the home
Arrangements are recorded in the child’s Case Plan.
Regular carers providing ongoing care must be authorised. Occasional babysitting does not require authorisation.
Your caseworker will work alongside you to find options that support both you and the child.