Foster care events

Sometimes the idea of going to school can be cause for severe distress for a child or young person and can result in a reluctance to go to school and an increase in nonattendance. High levels of distress and a reluctance to go to school is known as school refusal. School refusal is different from truancy. School refusal can negatively impact a child or young persons’ learning and development. It can affect friendships as well as social standing due to missed opportunities to connect with friends and other students. The longer the issue persists, the more difficult it can be for the child young person to get back into the routine of going to school, so it’s important to respond early. In this webinar the Learning Without Barriers team are joined by Dr. Glen Melvin. Dr Melvin is an Associate Professor & clinical and counselling psychologist from the School of Psychology, Deakin University in Melbourne. Glenn completed his PhD in the treatment of adolescent depressive disorder and has since conducted research into novel treatments for youth depression. His research interests include anxiety, school refusal, depression, and suicide prevention. He is currently working on a program to support parents who have a child with anxiety or depression. He works clinically with young people and teaches medical students about human development across the lifespan.

Please note: the time specified for this webinar is AEST

Consistent school attendance is important in any child’s education but for many children in out-of-home care, going to school every day is no easy thing. Unfortunately, children in out of home care face myriad challenges when it comes to attending school every day. The average number of days absent per term is double for students in care: seven days versus 3.4 days for students not in care. Suspensions also mean students miss out on school. In some parts of Australia data suggests the proportion of student sin care who were suspended is almost four time higher (23% versus 6% across all students). In this webinar the Learning Without Barriers team will talk about suspension, the policies and legislations that direct the practice is schools. The team will also share case studies and examples of student suspensions and strategies to employs early before the disciplinary action occurs, and advocacy techniques for during and post suspensions.

Please note: the time specified for this webinar is AEST

In celebration of 2024 NAIDOC theme: Keep the Fires Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud, the education team will explore how we can elevate the voices of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. How can we walk with them to take up space, be confident and be heard in education.

Please note: the time specified for this webinar is AEST

Further information SOON!

Please note: the time specified for this webinar is AEST

Children in OOHC have a right to an individual education plan that genuinely removes barriers to doing well at school. Education Plans. What are they, and how can you use them to support children and young people in education.
In this webinar the Learning Without Barriers education team will unpack education support plans (called different things, depending on where you are) and host a Q & A.

Please note: the time specified for this webinar is AEST

*More information soon

Please note: the time specified for this webinar is AEST

More information soon

Please note: the time specified for this webinar is AEST

Check out QFKC Carer Events calendar for online/webinar events and workshops exclusive to Foster and Kinship Carers.

Foster & Family Carers Learning Pathways - Learning Opportunities for Foster & Family Carers. Check out today their range of online learnings!

The LWB care team are hosting upcoming information sessions for all Foster Carers to discuss the Mockingbird Family model which will be implemented over the next couple of months across the Perth Metropolitan area.

Saturday the 11th of May 11am -1pm with lunch at Life Without Barriers office, 632-634 Newcastle Street, Leederville. There will be parking available downstairs. We will set up some children’s activities to entertain any children/young people that will attend with their carers – just let us know if you are bringing children with you. Please RSVP by Monday the 6th of May.

There will be an online session on Wednesday the 24th of April from 10am – 11am.

Mockingbird Family is an innovative way to structure the support and supervision provided to foster and kinship carers to create caring homes, inclusive of family, culture and community. Life Without Barriers is partnering The Mockingbird Society to implement Mockingbird Family in Australia.

The approach, which was first developed in 2004 in Washington state, USA, has been designed to improve connections and social and emotional well-being of children and their carers.

Key benefits of Mockingbird Family are:

• Children thrive socially, emotionally and academically • Children and carers develop supportive peer relationships • Positive Carer retention • Carers receive support through respite, peer support, training and information • Children remain connected to their community and culture • Increased placement stability • Alleviate case management workload