CASPA launches Kinship Carer video series

CASPA has launched a ten‑part Kinship Carer video series designed to make the early months of kinship care less overwhelming and more supported. Short, practical and easy to access on YouTube, the series helps new kinship carers understand what to expect and who they can lean on.

“Kinship carers are a lifeline for children entering care,” said Naarah Rodwell, CASPA CEO. “They step up to provide support, stability and safety when a child’s world has been completely shaken. It can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also tough and often confusing. Carers deserve straight answers, practical tools and a support team that actually shows up for them. These videos are one of the ways we’re trying to make things easier.”

The series begins with What is Kinship Care?, then covers the daily realities of the role in short, digestible videos to help kinship carers understand expectations, navigate family time, deliver trauma‑aware care and look after themselves throughout the process. Each video uses plain language and real‑life tips to ease overwhelm and reduce the stress of searching for information at a time when carers are already under pressure and navigating the uncertainty of kinship care.

Following the 2024 System Review into Out‑of‑Home Care in NSW, there has been renewed attention on how well foster carers are supported, heard and retained. Government steps such as carer allowance increases and asking for carer feedback are important, but community‑based care only works when non‑government organisations keep listening to carers and closing the support gaps.

“Carers step in during a time of crisis. We owe them calm guidance, and a village wrapped around them,” Ms Rodwell added. “These videos are just a starting point, and they sit alongside the training, resources and day-to-day support that out-of-home care agencies like CASPA already deliver.”

CASPA is committed to caring for our carers

Carers are an essential part of the CASPA village. In addition to the Kinship Carer video series, we provide a variety of supports to help CASPA carers feel better prepared for and more sustained on their care journey.

• Carer Leadership Group – a monthly meet-up where identified foster and kinship carers can raise priorities, share solutions and advocate for their needs to be met.
• Carer Support Working Group – an internal forum for nominated caseworkers, leaders and other staff to escalate carer issues for problem‑solving, have input on training and resource development and help strengthen support at the casework level.
• Conscious Carer Hub – a free online resource, available on our website, with helpful and practical articles to support trauma-informed care, as well as links to relevant trainings and other resources.
• After-Hours Support – to ensure carers have support not just during business hours, but whenever they need it, carers have access to round the clock phone support through our After-Hours Support service.
  

Interested in becoming a carer?

Across Australia, there is a significant shortage of all types of carers. Even dedicating one weekend a month as a respite carer can make a lasting difference in a child’s life. Learn more about respite care here.