This Friday marks World Care Day, a celebration of children and young people who have grown up in out-of-home care.
The theme, “Celebrating Every Journey,” recognises that no two stories are the same. While children growing up in care often face adversity, they achieve incredible things through their strength, courage and determination.
As the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people in care in Australia, CREATE Foundation has encouraged people with a care experience to share their stories and for supporters to celebrate the resilience and achievements of kids in care using the CREATE’s Comms Kit.
A story submitted by 24-year-old Ruby from Victoria recounts her hardships of being placed in 10 different schools and experiencing homelessness as a teenager. Ruby’s determination to never give up got her through school and eventually all the way to university.
“I never gave up. I found what worked for me regarding my learning style and did the best I could to graduate from VCAL (TAFE). But I didn’t finish there. I decided I wanted to also go to university, which is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Ruby will soon graduate with a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in Journalism.
22-year-old Timothy from the Northern Territory also reflected on his school years and how the kids that were in out-of-home care were treated negatively and stereotyped, overlooking the unique experiences and backgrounds of each young person.
“A lot of people had opinions about us kids in care and some of it unfortunately came from teachers. I showed them that I’m just like them, but I just have it different.”
Stories like Timothy’s highlight the stigma associated with being in care and how adults can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes against children.
CREATE Foundation CEO, Imogen Edeson said hearing young people’s stories and how they have navigated hardship in their lives is why World Care Day is the most important celebration of the year for CREATE.
“Every story and every journey through care shows the incredible resourcefulness and courage of children and young people, finding creative ways overcome adversity, get their needs met and move towards the the things important to them. All while snapping stigma.
This is why we celebrate the strength and creativity of kids in care on World Care Day.”
From personal achievements to moments of resilience, World Care Day is about celebrating every young person in care, their achievements, their strength and their stories.
Young people can submit their story to marketing@create.org.au and supporters can download the Comms Kit containing social media assets and ways to get involved at create.org.au/world-care-day
CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. We provide programs to children and young people with a statutory care experience. We listen to what those with a lived experience of the care system tell us, and advocate with and for them to achieve systemic change.
*ENDS*
For further comment from CREATE’s CEO, Imogen Edeson, contact Taylor Toovey, Communications and Media Specialist via (m) 0478 814 752 or taylor.toovey@create.org.au
Key statistics on out-of-home care in Australia
- There are currently around 45,393 children and young people in out-of-home (OOHC) care nationally (AIHW, 2023).
- As of 30 June 2022, of the 45,393 children and young people in out of home care, 19,432 identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (AIHW, 2023).
- Nationwide, only 67.5% of children and young people in care feel they could have a say ‘reasonably often’ and 15.7% reported that they rarely or never had a say (McDowall, 2018).
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Child protection Australia 2021–22. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-australia-2021-22
McDowall, J. J. (2018). Out-of-home care in Australia: Children and young people’s views after five years of National Standards. CREATE Foundation.
