Article type: Commentary
6 November 2017
Volume 42 Issue 4
Article type: Commentary
6 November 2017
Volume 42 Issue 4
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The Changing Face of Out-of-home Care in Australia – Developing Policy and Practice for the 21st Century
Meredith Kiraly1 * 
Cathy Humphreys1
Affiliations
1 Department of Social Work, Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Australia
Correspondence
*Dr Meredith Kiraly
Contributions
Meredith Kiraly -
Cathy Humphreys -
Meredith Kiraly1 *
Cathy Humphreys1
Affiliations
1 Department of Social Work, Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Australia
Correspondence
*Dr Meredith Kiraly
CITATION: Kiraly M., & Humphreys C. (2017). The Changing Face of Out-of-home Care in Australia – Developing Policy and Practice for the 21st Century. Children Australia, 42(4), 2094. doi.org/10.1017/cha.2017.38
Abstract
This Opinion Piece traces the rise of statutory kinship care in Australia from the progressive reduction of residential care and the struggle to recruit sufficient foster carers to meet demand for protective care. It outlines identified benefits of kinship care for children and flags concern about the early stage of development of kinship care policy, programs and data systems. It is argued that there are significant risks for children's safety and well-being in failing to assess carers thoroughly and to provide equitable case management and support (both financial and non-financial) to children in kinship care as in foster care.