The most recent Carer Recruitment and Retention Taskforce meeting focused on the publication of a shared carer training calendar and progressing work on carer exit interviews.
Shared training calendar
The taskforce has created and published a shared calendar that collates upcoming mandatory carer training from a number of agencies. Going forward the shared training calendar will also include post-approval carer training (non-mandatory).
The shared calendar will expand opportunities for carers to undertake training with another agency and increase collaboration across the sector.
Service providers need to contact the agency providing training on behalf of a carer to request access to a training session. This enables agencies to understand and manage demand.
The calendar will be updated regularly and is available on the Step by Step website, which hosts a range of resources for family-based care agencies.
Step by Step is only available to current family-based care service providers. Please contact Foster Care Services for the login details.
Carer exit interviews
The taskforce is in the final stages of developing a carer exit interview, which will allow service providers and the department to better understand and record the experiences of our invaluable carers. These interviews will help us to take a deeper look at what supports and information carers require, and the common challenges they face.
The materials being developed include a paper and online survey, an information sheet for carers and a document outlining the exit interview process.