Kinship Care Network Forum

Supporting the invaluable role kinship carers play in the lives of children and within our communities.

Last updated: 06 Oct 2026

Building capacity and alignment across the kinship care sector

The bi-monthly Kinship Care Network is hosted by the Centre in partnership with Kinship Care Victoria. The network’s statewide members represent 28 funded service providers, bringing together place-based knowledge and practice wisdom to build capacity and alignment across the kinship care sector.

Engaging in change

The Network offers the frontline workforce opportunities to be a part of the necessary change early and in a timely way, enabling them to:

  • collaborate with fellow members and government
  • Inform the implementation of, and advocate for, key reforms and policy changes
  • engage with the latest research, practices, and policies shaping the kinship care landscape

The Kinship Care Network is a partnership between the Centre, Kinship Care Victoria and Kinship Care – Department of Families Fairness and Housing.

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Kinship Care Week

During Kinship Care Week, we proudly celebrate the invaluable role kinship carers play. throughout Victoria, in the lives of children and within our communities.

Kinship carers provide care for 81.7% of children in out-of-home care across Victoria, yet many face significant barriers when accessing support, services and recognition. This year’s kinship care week theme, ‘Supported carers, supported kids’ highlights the essential role kinship carers have in nurturing positive outcomes for the children and young people they raise, and the community.

It’s vital for kinship families and their supporters to continue advocating for, promoting, and prioritising kinship care to raise awareness about the essential role they play and the challenges they encounter. Advocacy is essential for creating understanding and ensuring kinship carers receive the support they so desperately need.

Kinship Care Week campaign pack Message from Minister Blandthorn
Election 2026: Support for Kinship and Foster Carers
As Victoria approaches a state election in November, the Centre and its member organisations are calling on political parties and candidates to priorities children, young people and families. Our six election asks provide concrete policy changes that will have a positive impact for vulnerable Victorians, including recognising the true cost of caring for children in out-of-home care.
Read our Election Priorities for Children and Families: Victoria State Election 2026

Carer Kafe

The Carer Kafe program is a collaborative initiative between The Centre, VACCA, and Kinship Carers Victoria, offering comprehensive learning and development opportunities to statutory kinship carers, accredited foster carers, and permanent carers across Victoria.

Led by expert trainers and grounded in principles of therapeutic care, trauma-informed practices, and cultural connection, Carer Kafe provides invaluable opportunities for individuals at every stage of their caregiving journey.

Learn more
Kinship Care Resources
View all resources
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Kinship Care: Recognised in Policy, Invisible in Practice This ISPCAN Rise Up Policy Brief sets out what the evidence shows, and the cross-sector action needed to close the gap between recognition and support — for children's sake as much as their carers'.
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Peak responds to VAGO Report on Out-of-Home Care Services 2026 The Centre welcomes the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) report Out-of-Home Care Services, commending VAGO for its focus on outcomes for children and for highlighting the systemic failures that continue to compromise children's rights to safety, stability, cultural identity and family connection.
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Review of payments for foster, kinship and permanent carers 2026 This report, commissioned under the Safe and Supported First Action Plan 2023–2026, reviews the adequacy, consistency and accessibility of payments and financial supports for foster, kinship and permanent carers across Australia. The review finds family based out-of-home care results in better outcomes for children and young people than residential care and is more cost-effective for governments. However, carers of children in out-of-home care report that carer payments and financial supports are inadequate and inaccessible. This risks placing carer households – and children and young people in care – under financial strain and without access to essential services and supports. 
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Kinship Care Week 2026: Promo Kit Kinship Care Week is an annual celebration that recognises the enormous impact of kinship carers, and the important role they play in raising and supporting children and young people. We warmly invite you to share your support, by sharing the information, resources and suggested social media posts through your channels to raise awareness of the incredible work of kinship carers who keep children and young people supported and thriving. 

Support for kinship carers

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's 'Care Support Help Desk' team provides on-call and email support to kinship carers across Victoria. Hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Mon - Fri. If you have an urgent child protection matter outside business hours, the contact point is the After-Hours Child Protection Service on 131 278.

North Division

Phone: 1800 319 507

Email: [email protected]

 

South Division

Phone: 1800 319 503

Email: [email protected]

 

East Division

Phone: 1800 931 757

Email: [email protected]

 

West Division

Phone: 1800 319 510

Email: [email protected]