We took some time out to chat to Billy Black, a young person who works with the CREATE Foundation to promote and advocate for children and young people in care. In these short clips, Billy offers some tips to OOHC caseworkers and managers. Her advice and experiences reflect the voices of many other kids in care who are looking to improve the system and build better relationships with the adults in their lives.
INTRODUCTION
GET TO KNOW CREATE
GOOD CASEWORK MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU THINK
HAVE DEEPER CONVERSATIONS
DON’T READ CASE FILE NOTES BEFORE YOU MEET A YOUNG PERSON
YOUR ABILITY TO BE A FRIEND CAN HAVE A LIFETIME IMPACT
LOW EXPECTATIONS HINDER GOOD RELATIONSHIPS
YOU’RE AN ADVOCATE, NOT A DICTATOR
STIGMA & STEREOTYPES SUCK
EMPHASISE THE POSITIVE
ASK A YOUNG PERSON ABOUT THE CARE SYSTEM – YOU’D BE SURPRISED