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Promising Practices – Book 2 Assessing, training and recruiting Indigenous carers
Successful assessment and training programs are carer-centred, responding to carers’ needs and feedback in their assessment and training programs. This is particularly the case with Indigenous assessment tools, which use a more relaxed, conversational style of getting information, and use community knowledge about a family when assessing if a potential carer can provide good care.
Effective assessment and training programs also build long-term relationships with carers and offer comprehensive support. The training programs profiled here value carer input and acknowledge the skills and knowledge they bring to the caring role. The carers then become confident, skilled and empowered, and this effects the children in their care.
The best recruitment strategies are community-based and conducted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agencies. Activities such as community days are opportunities for agencies to encourage Indigenous people to become carers. Organisations that become known in their communities for effective and comprehensive support attract new carers. Finally, having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person speak at information or training sessions is also an effective in recruiting new carers.
