Children in care share their views

Since 2005, the Office of the Child Safety Commissioner has been meeting with a Youth Advisory Group, a group of young people currently or previously in care. w

Supported by the CREATE Foundation, the Advisory Group contributes to discussion on different issues and policies about the out-of-home care system.

The project "What makes a good home?" is a survey undertaken by the Advisory Group to help the out-of-home care service system to provide better placements for children in care.

Participants feel it is important that placements become more that just a bed or somewhere to stay. They need to become real homes for children.

The following responses were collected in the survey:

"A good home is somewhere you can feel safe and accepted, make your own informed choices and have trust and positive relationships with significant others while being cared for and loved"

A place where you can feel safe
Secure premises and secure people that you live with
A place when you can bring friends and not feel embarrassed
You are able to express yourself
You are able to ask questions freely
Warmth
Warm surroundings/ things that you can relate to eg childhood memories
Team work - cooking together, doing chores together (learning new life skills)
Respecting each other's space
Somewhere you can go when things get tough
Own personal space
Own bedroom
Somewhere you sleep and feel loved
Happy and having fun
Being comfortable

Support
Awareness of professional boundaries
Personal space
No aggressive people in the home
Hygienic
Interactive people
No substance addicted young people
Carer will go in to bat for you
Food, clothing, roof over your head
Let us learn for ourselves
Carers and workers are informed eg: partnering agreement
You can trust and get along with other young people and carers
Young people are matched with each other in placements
No negative peer pressure from other young people
Let us make mistakes
Truth
Honesty
Trust
You can have your own personal space and things will not get touched or stolen
Being safe
Feeling loved
Having people believe you

No 'tip toeing' around
Not having to ask to go to the fridge or cupboard
Posters, photos, personal items
Memories
Having pets
Easy going people that have a sense of humour
Big bedrooms
The people you live with are people you feel comfortable with, people you care about, people you know, people who care about you eg. friends, family
No sexual, physical, verbal, money abuse
Communication
Respect
Good role models
Having support
Not just shelter
Feeling comfortable
Consequences for actions but within reason
A place where you can feel safe and secure
Are able to be yourself
Have a key to the house
Are trusted to be home alone

Under 12s should not be in residential care
Easier access to help and support services
Assistance with public transport
All carers should understand different issues and be able to talk to you about them
Children that are under 10 should be placed with a foster carer that has raised their own children and have an understanding of complex needs
Police checks should be quicker and easier to get so we can stay with friends when invited
Love is shown to those in need

Carers that care for children and young people are not in it for the money
Young people can be a part of creating their home or personal space
Regular placement monitoring
Make our environment feel warm, cosy, and homely
All carers and workers have training
Transition periods into new placements
Have carers and workers that like talking to children and young people
Hygienic environments
Matching of interests to the needs of the children and young people
Being able to talk to workers in private
Workers/carers have a better knowledge of minimum standards
Consistent rules for placements

Introduction

Download print version