Review of Alternative Care in South Australia

Alternative Care services in Australia and overseas are experiencing increasing difficulties in attempting to adequately respond to families under stress and the increasing numbers of children requiring Alternative Care placements. The Alternative Care system is almost entirely reliant on family carers, who receive subsidies for what is primarily a voluntary service - 97% of South Australian placements are in family care -
higher than any other State in Australia.

This Review acknowledges and addresses the interdependency between Government and non-Government in the provision of services and has made a number of recommendations to improve relationships between the Department of Human Services (DHS), Family and Youth Services (FAYS), Alternative Care Service Providers(ACSPs) and carers.