Recently, members of the DCC Industry Group Foster & Kinship Care team attended the National Foster & Kinship Care Conference on the Sunshine Coast, joining carers, sector professionals, organisations and community representatives from across Australia.
The conference provided an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, connect with others working across the sector and take part in important conversations about how we can continue strengthening support for foster and kinship carers, children, young people and families.
For our team, it was also a valuable opportunity to listen, learn and bring new ideas back to the work we do within our own communities.
Coming Together as a Sector
Foster and kinship care is built around people.
Carers, families, support workers, practitioners, community organisations and many others all play a role in helping children and young people feel safe, supported and connected.
Events like the National Foster & Kinship Care Conference bring those different experiences and perspectives together in one place.
Throughout the conference, our team had opportunities to connect with people from across Australia, hear about the work happening in other communities and share conversations about both the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Those conversations are an important reminder that although communities and organisations may work differently, there is a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
Learning From Different Perspectives
Continuous learning is an important part of providing meaningful support.
The conference created space for presentations, discussions and shared experiences covering topics relevant to foster and kinship care across Australia.
Hearing different perspectives allows teams like ours to reflect on the way we work, consider new approaches and continue developing the support we provide to carers, children, young people and families.
It also gives us the opportunity to bring those learnings home.
For DCC Industry Group, attending events like this isn’t simply about being present. It’s about taking what we learn, continuing the conversation within our teams and considering how those insights can strengthen the work we do in our communities.
Recognising the Role of Foster and Kinship Carers
At the centre of foster and kinship care are the carers who provide children and young people with safety, stability, connection and support.
Foster and kinship carers make an incredible contribution to their communities. While every caring journey is different, carers share a commitment to being there for children and young people when they need it.
The conference was another opportunity to recognise that contribution while discussing how organisations and the wider sector can continue supporting carers throughout their journey.
Supporting carers means listening to their experiences, providing ongoing guidance and training, creating opportunities for connection and ensuring they have people around them who understand the important role they play.
Bringing What We’ve Learned Back to Our Communities
One of the most valuable parts of attending a national conference is what happens after everyone returns home.
Our Foster & Kinship Care team has come away with new conversations, connections and ideas that can continue beyond the conference itself.
These opportunities help us reflect on what we’re doing well, where we can continue to grow and how we can strengthen the experience of the children, young people, carers and families we work alongside.
At DCC Industry Group, we believe strong communities are built through connection, collaboration and a willingness to keep learning.
We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of the National Foster & Kinship Care Conference and look forward to carrying those conversations and learnings forward.
Interested in Foster & Kinship Care?
Becoming a foster carer can make a meaningful difference in the life of a child or young person—and you don’t have to navigate the journey alone.
DCC Industry Group supports foster carers with guidance, training and ongoing support throughout their caring journey.
If you’ve ever considered becoming a foster carer or would simply like to understand more about foster and kinship care, we’d love to help you take the next step.
