Caring for a child through kinship care

You may be a Nan, Pop, Aunty, Uncle or cuz who wants to keep kids close to family, community and culture. Some of our mob have had a tough time. There will be good days and bad days looking after kids and teens, so don’t feel shame to ask for help.

There are lots of good ideas in the book Raising Them Strong. It was put together by Aboriginal foster and kinship carers, carer support workers, caseworkers and the Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (AbSec).

The book has information about how to help kids grow up strong by listening and spending time with them, talking to them about their feelings and caring about school, their health and safety. You can download and print out the whole book or read each chapter below.

Raising Them Strong chapters

1. Settling in
2. Growing up healthy
3. Growing up healthy: babies and toddlers
4. Learning and school days
5. Feeling safe and connected
6. If a child has been abused
7. Family contact
8. Challenging behaviour
9. Loss, trauma and sorry business
10. Sharing culture – proud & deadly!
11. Support and financial help
12. What is guardianship?

Other resources

There are also printable booklets available that use words in local NSW Aboriginal languages, as well as list of useful contact details of support and services for the Aboriginal community.