Carer Kafe - Kinship, Permanent & Foster Care Education

Supporting positive cultural identity for children and young people from multicultural backgrounds, Janet Irvine, SSI Diversity Training Manager

This interactive workshop aims to support carers to feel more empowered and motivated to find meaningful and practical ways to support a child’s development of a positive cultural identity.

Date: Tuesday 24 February
Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm (3 hours)
Location: Online (Zoom)

For more information and to register: https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/supporting-positive-cultural-identity-for-children-and-young-people-from-multicultural-backgrounds/

Today is World Care Day - celebrated each year as the world’s largest recognition of children and young people with a care experience. The day shines a light on their voices, raises awareness of the realities of growing up in care, challenges harmful stereotypes, and celebrates the strengths, talents and achievements of young people in care. This Years Theme is 'Breaking Barriers'.

Understanding the Challenges of Caring for Childen In Care - An Exploration of Blocked Trust, Lorren Arezio, Clinical Psychologist

This webinar will explore how Blocked Trust impacts a child’s ability to accept care and nurturing and what is needed for both carer and child to successfully navigate a path through this.

Time: 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Date: Saturday 21 February 2026
Location: Online (Zoom)

For more information and to register: https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/understanding-the-challenges-of-caring-for-children-in-care-an-exploration-of-blocked-trust/

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Mental Health First Aid, Baydon Widdicombe

This course teaches participants how to provide initial support to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young person (aged 12-18) who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional support is received or the crisis resolves.

Date: Friday 6th and Saturday 7th March 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: V***A Preston

For more information and to register:

https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-youth-mental-health-first-aid/

Neurodivergent children and young people in care: Understanding, Behaviours & Strategies, Christina Keeble

Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm (3 hours)
Date: Tuesday 17 February
Location: Online (Zoom)

This webinar will provide carers with the latest, up to date, lived experience research around neurodivergence – Autism & ADHD – including Monotropism, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), the Double Empathy Problem, and more.

For more information and to register: https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/neurodivergent-children-and-young-people-in-care-understanding-behaviours-strategies/

Youth Su***de Prevention, Garry King

As a result of attending this session, carers will have an increased understanding of suicidal behaviour, and increased confidence in managing this issue with children in their care.

Date: Wednesday 8 April
Time: 10.30am-1.30pm (including lunch)
Location: The Dandenong Club

To register and for more information: https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/youth-suicide-prevention-dandenong/

Understanding Changes to the NDIS
Presented by CFEFW and ACD

This practical session will provide a better understanding of the role of the NDIS and its purpose as well as how carers can access or apply for NDIS funding. The session provides resources and connections to resources to help support carers.

Time: 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Date: Friday 13 February
Location: Online (Zoom

To register and for more information: https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/understanding-changes-to-the-ndis/

Mindfulness and Creative Arts Therapy, Fiona McGrath and Sara Grace

Carers who have joined these sessions in the past have walked away feeling inspired, supported, and genuinely enriched by the experience.

Enjoy one off sessions on a Friday in several locations.:

1 May - Bendigo
22 May - Geelong
5 June - Preston
19 June - Noble Park North

For more information and to register:

https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/mindfulness-creative-arts-therapy-bendigo/

Services Australia – Grandparents Foster and Kinship Adviser Program - Webinar

Join us for this session from Services Australia that will:

Introduce you to the Grandparents Foster and Kinship Advisor Program

Give you valuable insight into what claims you can make and how to make them

Provide you with information on who to contact for advice and assistance

Answer your general questions

Specialist information will be provided by Sandra – Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Care Advisor. Sandra has been an active and registered foster carer for the past 34 years and loves this role and the opportunity to help her fellow carers.

Date: Tuesday 10 February

Time: 10am - 11.30am

Location: Zoom online

https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/services-australia-grandparents-foster-and-kinship-adviser-program-10-feb/

Services Australia – Grandparents Foster and Kinship Adviser Program - Carer Kafe Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm

Strong Roots, Safe Futures: Keeping Aboriginal Children Connected to Culture, Yolanda Finette

Carers play a vital role in keeping culture alive in everyday ways, and in actively bringing Cultural Support Plans to life. This session offers practical, culturally grounded guidance to help carers feel confident, respectful and supported in that role.

Yolanda Finette is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and award‑winning holistic life coach, consultant, and wellbeing facilitator. With over 25 years’ experience across child, youth, and family services in both the Naarm Aboriginal community and the United States, she brings a trauma‑informed, anti‑oppression, and culturally grounded approach shaped by her Aboriginal, African American, and Greek heritage.

Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm (2 hours)
Date: Tuesday 3 March
Location: Online (Zoom)

To register and for more information: https://www.carerkafe.org.au/event/strong-roots-safe-futures-keeping-aboriginal-children-connected-to-culture/