Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers 101-23041750

Advisers help non-parent carers providing ongoing care by:

• giving tailored information about payments and support services based on their family circumstances
• arranging appointments with specialist staff, including social workers
• arranging referrals to federal, state and community service providers
• helping them with general Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support information, payments and services
• participating in community information sessions, and
• organising targeted outreach to areas of need/rural and remote areas

Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers:

• are available across Australia
• answer calls to the Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Adviser Line
• promote the service through outreach activities in their state/territory

Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers are unable to:

• process claims
• code change of care
• update shared care screens

Non-parent carers include:

• grandparent carers
• foster carers
• kinship carers and
• informal carers

Advisers share details about Services Australia payments and services and work with:

• the community, such as neighbourhood centres
• other government agencies, and
• non-government organisations

Non-parent carers and children in their care may need extra support while adjusting to the changes in their circumstances. Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers will refer non-parent carers to specialist staff, if required. Specialist staff include:

• Social workers
• Community Engagement Officers (CEO)
• Financial Information Service Officers
• Indigenous Service Officers
• Multicultural Service Officers
• Aged Care Specialist Officers

Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers support staff by:

• providing information and support to non-parent carers
• advising what evidence the agency needs to support the care arrangement
• promoting the Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Adviser Line
• making sure local service centres have access to the relevant posters, fact sheet and brochure