1. Family Inclusion Network FIN-NSW- Information, Advice and Advocacy

2. Dr Frank Ainsworth Senior Principal Research Fellow (Adjunct) Senior Principal Research Fellow (Adjunct) School of Social Work and Community Welfare, James Cook University, Townsville School of Social Work and Community Welfare, James Cook University, Townsville President, FIN-NSW President, FIN-NSW frankainsworth@hotmail.com frankainsworth@hotmail.com

3. Firstly and uniquivocaly Firstly and uniquivocaly FIN is opposed to all forms of child abuse and neglect FIN is opposed to all forms of child abuse and neglect

4. How did FIN start? Simultaneosly in Queensland (Townsville and Brisbane) and in Perth Simultaneosly in Queensland (Townsville and Brisbane) and in Perth CAPACT in Canberra renamed FIN-ACT CAPACT in Canberra renamed FIN-ACT Now in NSW as FIN-NSW Now in NSW as FIN-NSW FIN-Australia is currently being formed FIN-Australia is currently being formed SA is also active SA is also active

5. Why did FIN start? Concerns about the way parents are treated by child protection personnel Concerns about the way parents are treated by child protection personnel The absence of respect for parents The absence of respect for parents Parents being labelled ‘dead beat parents’ by a Minister responsible for child protection services Parents being labelled ‘dead beat parents’ by a Minister responsible for child protection services Parents not being kept properly informed Parents not being kept properly informed

6. The aims of FIN To give parents of children in care a voice To give parents of children in care a voice Parents of children in care can make a useful contribution to their children’s life Parents of children in care can make a useful contribution to their children’s life Parents of children in care have a useful contribution to make to the child protection debate Parents of children in care have a useful contribution to make to the child protection debate To promote best child protection practice - family inclusive child protection practice To promote best child protection practice - family inclusive child protection practice

7. FIN - Activities 1 Provide local support groups for parents and family members of children in care Provide local support groups for parents and family members of children in care Provide information about how best to work with child protection authorities Provide information about how best to work with child protection authorities Share information about how best to work with foster carers Share information about how best to work with foster carers

8. FIN - Activities 2 Share information about contact visits and their importance Share information about contact visits and their importance Support parents and family members though all the stages of the legal process Support parents and family members though all the stages of the legal process Advise parents and family members how to obtain Legal Aid and the services of a lawyer Advise parents and family members how to obtain Legal Aid and the services of a lawyer Provide mutual support in a confidential setting Provide mutual support in a confidential setting

9. FIN - Activities 3 Make submissions in response to Inquiries Make submissions in response to Inquiries i.e. Wood Commission in NSW i.e. Wood Commission in NSW

10. FIN - Membership Currently includes health professionals including social workers, lawyers, foster carers and parents - but anyone can join Currently includes health professionals including social workers, lawyers, foster carers and parents - but anyone can join Membership is $25 pa - professionals Membership is $25 pa - professionals Parents who cannot afford this fee can join for $1pa Parents who cannot afford this fee can join for $1pa

11. FIN - Governance Membership and leadership will be shared by parent and family members of children in care and professionals Membership and leadership will be shared by parent and family members of children in care and professionals Branches will depend on pro-bono professional and unpaid parent labour Branches will depend on pro-bono professional and unpaid parent labour

12. What FIN will not do FIN will not be acting for parents in individual cases FIN will not be acting for parents in individual cases FIN will not be providing therapy or counselling services FIN will not be providing therapy or counselling services FIN will not be providing legal advice FIN will not be providing legal advice

13. FIN Advice line The FIN - NSW information and advice line number is 045 0521 610 (Monday – Friday, 8am to 8 pm)

14. Forthcoming event First National Conference ‘Building a Culture of Respect. Family Inclusion in Child Protection Practice’ Perth, October 30 - 31 2008 (Details from erica@finwa.org.au) erica@finwa.org.au