Search results

This paper presents key findings from current North Queensland doctoral research on the topic of foster carer education, training and support. Sixty-one interviews were conducted with Indigenous, non-Indigenous and relative foster carers and a broad range of other 'key informants'. Research findings presented indicate the need for more highly specialised and accredited training for foster carers than currently exists in Queensland, and argues for the professionalisation of foster care linked to increased payments and improved support for foster carers. The paper concludes that such changes in the current foster care system are crucial if foster carers are to be recruited to, and retained in, the role and, more importantly, for there to be much improved outcomes for children in statutory care.

This book explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perceptions of their helping styles with their own people and the type of help they provide in the social welfare context. Through semi-structured depth interviews, the use of video as stimulus material and collaborative analysis with Aboriginal and Torres Islander participants, the book identifies the helping process within their own cultural communities and in particular the cultural aspects of their helping approach. In the course of this project active collaboration has occurred between indigenous and non-indigenous people in methodological and ethical processes that reflected as much as possible a political position of indigenous control of the project in relation to problem definition, choice of research methods, data analysis and use of findings. The intent of 'Murri Way' was to provide a 'springboard' for the development of Indigenous Best Practice Models. Readers attention is drawn to the recognition of the contribution of participant's wisdom and knowledge, page iv-vi; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Terms of Reference, p.95; and details of the inception and aspiration of the project in Chapter 2.