MacKillop Family Services

This Children’s Week, we honour the rights, voices, and potential of children. We recognise the vital role they play in shaping our communities today and into the future. Children’s Week is a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to create environments where every child feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. It’s a time to celebrate their creativity, curiosity, resilience and to champion their right to be heard, valued, and loved. At MacKillop, we’re proud to stand alongside children and families, working every day to ensure their rights are upheld and their futures are bright.

At MacKillop, we know that trauma can have lasting effects on a person’s life, impacting emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and relationships. We’re committed to supporting foster and kinship carers to provide trauma-informed care, so children and young people feel safe in their home, and can heal from past experiences. Our approach is guided by the Sanctuary Model, a whole-of-organisation framework that helps us understand how stress and adversity effects behaviour and development. This model shapes our practice and our culture, ensuring that every interaction promotes safety, recovery, and resilience. As part of our Spotlight initiative, we refreshed our Trauma-Informed Care Training for carers, embedding carer perspectives, and providing practical strategies to respond compassionately and effectively to children and young people impacted by trauma. Learn more about how this training is transforming care and creating brighter futures: 👉 Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/esuAa3E9

Two years on from the Voice referendum, we pause to reflect. Not only on the outcome, but on the continued journey toward truth, justice, and meaningful self-determination. At MacKillop, we honour the strength, culture, and leadership of First Nations peoples. Our commitment to walking alongside First Nations peoples remains steadfast. We continue to listen, learn, and work in partnership to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. We continue the journey with cultural humility and deep respect, driven by truth-telling and we are supported by the actions and deliverables in our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan to create meaningful change.

MacKillop Family Services is proud to be supporting the Carers for Kids Family Fun Day. This is a free community event celebrating the incredible contribution of foster carers across NSW. Held in Wollongong this weekend, the event brings together families, carers, and community organisations for a joyful afternoon of connection, entertainment, and appreciation. We'll be there to honour the carers who make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people. There’ll be live entertainment, kids’ activities, food stalls, and plenty of opportunities to connect with others who share a passion for care and community. We’re looking forward to being part of this celebration and connecting with families and carers from across the region. If you're attending, come say hello!

At MacKillop Family Services, we recognise the vital role carers play in creating safe, stable and nurturing environments for children and young people. Their work is often demanding, and access to flexible, ongoing support is essential. That is why we have launched the Carer Learning Hub, a new online platform designed to make learning more accessible for carers. Whether at home, at work, or managing the daily responsibilities of caring, this platform allows carers to access training and resources at a time and pace that suits them. This initiative reflects our commitment to listening to carers and responding to their needs. By removing barriers to learning, we are helping carers feel more confident, supported and prepared in their roles. Read more about the Carer Learning Hub: https://lnkd.in/gSY5hwDJ

We were proud to represent MacKillop Family Services at this year’s Melbourne Show. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community, share our work supporting children, young people, and families, and raise awareness about the importance of care and protection. A highlight of the event was meeting the Leader of the Liberal Party, Sussan Ley MP where we had the chance to discuss the impact of our programs and the importance of strong partnerships in creating safer futures for vulnerable children. Thank you to everyone who visited our stall and took the time to learn more about what we do. Your support means the world to us. #MacKillopFamilyServices #MelbourneShow

At MacKillop, we've taken a thoughtful and research-driven approach to supporting foster carers through one of the most emotionally complex parts of their journey: saying goodbye. Following deep conversations with carers, MacKillop commissioned a research project led by Dr Margaret Kertesz from the University of Melbourne. The resulting report, Grief & Loss: Understanding the impacts of placement transitions on MacKillop foster carers and their children, explores the emotional toll of placement endings and offers insights into how carers and their families can be better supported. To bring this research to life, MacKillop created a five-part podcast series, Preparing Our Hearts: A Foster Care Journey. Hosted by clinician Summah Hemming, the series features interviews with carers, their biological children, and professionals, offering real stories and practical strategies for navigating grief and loss in foster care. This is a powerful example of how evidence-based storytelling can drive meaningful change in the sector. Listen to the podcast and explore the research: https://lnkd.in/ghN5smVu

Barry and Lyn have spent the last 36 years quietly transforming lives and fostering nearly 50 children and offering a safe, loving home to those who needed it most. Their story is a testament to the power of compassion, community, and enduring commitment. At 90 and 87, they continue to care for young people, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference. Read their inspiring journey: https://lnkd.in/gSdwr3Nw

Did you know the number of MacKillop carers exiting the program has dropped by 22% in the nine months? This follows the introduction of our Peer Mentoring project, compared to the year before. Peer Mentoring is one of the initiatives we’ve introduced to connect and support our foster carers. Its positive impact is encouraging, and presents opportunities for the out-of-home care sector on how we can collectively support, retain and connect our carers. Find out more by following the link: https://lnkd.in/g3z9BRje

On Tuesday October 14, MacKillop Family Services CEO Dr Robyn Miller AM will present at this year’s Len Tierney Lecture, hosted by the University of Melbourne. Robyn will be sharing insights from her extensive experience in social work and leadership - this is a must-attend for sector colleagues and anyone passionate about child and family welfare. 📅 Date: October 14 🔗 Register or learn more here: https://lnkd.in/g9BQm7bF Let’s come together to celebrate and learn from one of the sector’s most respected voices. #SocialWork #Leadership #MacKillopFamilyServices