Foster care is a vital part of the child protection system, providing safety, stability, and support to children during some of the most challenging times of their lives.
At MacKillop, carers are at the heart of this work. Recognising the complex and emotional nature of foster care, MacKillop has developed the Spotlight Project, an ambitious initiative aimed at improving foster care practice and supporting carers in meaningful, proactive ways.
The Spotlight review utilised qualitative and quantitative information, including annual carer reviews, exit interview feedback, carer complaint insights, national carer survey feedback, international and sector reviews and focus group feedback from MacKillop staff and carers. Ten key practice areas to improve carer wellbeing were endorsed by MacKillop’s CEO and are being implemented across MacKillop’s foster care programs in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
The Ten Key Practice Areas
The ten focus areas of the Spotlight Project are:
- Regular high-quality carer supervision
- Information and support during allegations or investigations
- Emotional and psychological support for carers when a placement ends
- Carer-specific Learning and Development Platform
- Training on navigating the “system”
- Foster Carer Mentoring Initiative
- Development of a carer feedback loop system
- Systematic familiarisation with carers’ histories and assessments
- Improved communication systems for carers with limited agency contact
- Comprehensive Case Management Induction Training.
These areas were thoroughly explored by experts from across MacKillop’s operational and support teams, led by working groups for each practice area. The project’s aim was to not only to meaningfully respond to carer feedback, but to also elevate standards across the foster care sector.
Spotlight’s key learnings
The objective of the Spotlight Project is to better understand carer needs to support, develop, and retain our carers, leading to sustained positive outcomes and stability for children and young people in their care.
Key learnings from the Spotlight Project include:
- The importance of the relationship between carers and practitioners that has less transactional and more relational interactions;
- More opportunities to receive carer feedback with systematic tracking of practical requests;
- An increased focus on carer emotional and psychological needs; and
- The need to improve systems, develop targeted training and provide support for a skilled and stable workforce. Where workforce instability is unavoidable, MacKillop identified ways to invest in systems to mitigate the impact to carers.
Carer Experience at the heart of Spotlight Project
What makes the Spotlight Project unique is its unwavering focus on carers - not just as providers of care, but as partners in the care system. Their voices shape the direction of the initiative, and their feedback continues to inform new developments.
“The Spotlight Project focuses on ten key areas identified through internal reviews and direct carer feedback. These areas reflect the real challenges carers face, and the initiative aims to address them with systemic improvements and practical tools. Carers are not only consulted throughout the process - they are updated every two months on the project’s progress, ensuring transparency, inclusion, and responsiveness.
By enhancing supervision, improving communication, and offering emotional and educational support, the Spotlight Project is setting a new benchmark in foster care practice. It acknowledges that carers deserve to be supported, respected, and empowered to continue the vital work they do.