With the 2026 South Australian election approaching, this video explains why The Carer Project established Election Commitments after many years of advocating for meaningful child protection reform based on lived experience, and after another full term of government delivered no meaningful improvements for overburdened Volunteer Foster and Kinship Carers.
This conversation is discussing ideas which if supported, newly elected members of parliament will advocate for, commitments will go out for genuine consultation with stakeholders, Bills moved through parliament.
The Carer Project played a central role in securing the South Australian Independent Inquiry into Foster and Kinship Care (2022), championed by the Hon John Darley, his staff, and supported by the crossbench, and opposition members. During the inquiry, Carers raised serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest, including the appointment of a researcher with close ties to the Department for Child Protection—the department at the centre of Carers’ complaints.
On 14 January 2022, Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard publicly committed to reviewing the inquiry outcomes if Carers were dissatisfied. Foster and Kinship Carers requested that review, over 400 formally signed and voted, whilst others attended a large forum facilitated by The Carer Project voting on proposed amendments in front of the Minister. The review was never delivered. The Minister did not accept or implement any of the Carers proposed amendments. To date, Minister Hildyard has not responded or provided an explanation to Carers for why this commitment was not honoured.
The Statement of Commitment, first established in 2020 and refreshed in 2024, was signed by Minister Katrine Hildyard, Department for Child Protection Chief Executive Jackie Bray, Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers SA Chief Executive Fiona Endicott, and Child and Family Focus Chief Executive Melissa Gibson. However, it has not been adequately implemented or enforced. Reported breaches toward Carers have resulted in no observable consequences for staff, including matters raised directly with the Department’s Chief Executive and the Minister.
As Carers continue to leave an unsupportive system and recruitment becomes more difficult, The Carer Project Election Commitments outline practical, long-standing solutions focused on accountability, genuine Carer support, and improved outcomes for Children and Young People in Out of Home Care. We explain further in the video but these reforms also have the potential to deliver significant long-term savings for taxpayers.
It’s not complex. It’s common sense.
We encourage voters, candidates, and decision-makers to watch the video, review The Carer Project Election Commitments and consider how these proposals could strengthen accountability, support Foster and Kinship Carers, and improve outcomes for Children and Young People in Out of Home Care whilst also saving tax-payers $$$$$
DCP Annual Report - There are currently just under 5000 children and young people in out of home care.
https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au...
Statement of Commitment - https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au...
Independent Inquiry into Foster and Kinship Care report - https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and...
Inquiry legislation - - https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/__l...
🌟Go to my Facebook page (link below) to read The Carer Project Election Commitments
🌟Please share my videos, follow me on YouTube and on Facebook (link below) for more conversations, community advocacy and updates. I welcome anyone to reach out if you would like to have a respectful discussion about your passion, cause or need, whether a candidate, political, social, health related, including rare diseases, or any issue that matters to you. This is an open platform for informed and respectful dialogue.
Lisa O'Malley – Advocate C&YP, Foster and Kinship Carers (Independent / SA). https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Информация по комментариям в разработке