GPV/KCV supports moves to restrict screen time

With the introduction of the Australian Government’s ban on restricting the use of social media for children under 16, debate has continued to centre around online safety for children and young people.

This article outlines ways in which the issues have been addressed in different countries, all aiming to balance the benefits against the potential damaging effects of the technology, and should be of great interest to all carers.

Cheers,

Anne McLeish
Director

GPV/KCV urges everyone to take every precaution, including vaccinations, to avoid children contracting diseases long thought to be eradicated in Australia.

Summary of press releases and information from the Western Australia & New South Wales Department of Health websites and the Australian Government Centre for Disease Control website.

Three new measles cases have been recorded in Western Australia (WA), amid fears the outbreak will worsen. At least 46 confirmed cases of measles have been recorded nationwide in 2025, including 15 in Victoria, 13 in New South Wales (NSW) and 12 in Western Australia.

The latest outbreak in WA comes after cases were recently detected in the Melbourne area, the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Byron Bay and surrounds and Sydney’s Eastern suburbs in NSW.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can spread from person-to-person and potentially lead to serious health complications.

Australia recorded 57 measles cases in 2024, up from 26 the year prior.

Dear Kinship Carers.

As a result of new requirements related to the care of children in out of home care recommended by the Royal Commission into Child Abuse, it is now important that carers follow the guidelines in relation to childcare. However, it remains easy to secure childcare for overnight stays for children with family and friends. Working with Children Checks are not required for this. The attached policy, which has very recently been checked by DFFH, should be of assistance to carers.

This policy is relevant to carers attending Carer KaFE retreats. Whilst Carer KaFE is not able to arrange childcare it is acceptable for carers to use the grant they receive when accepted for attendance to a retreat to subside this sort of family/friend overnight stay.

Cheers
Anne McLeish
Director

The Client Incident Management System (CIMS) is the program that investigates reports of incidents made against carers who may have mistreated children in their care.  There are reports made against kinship carers, but this does not happen very often. Over the years, KCV has witnessed some serious breaches of carers’ rights, particularly when a report is not upheld. Carers and children have been seriously affected by the unfairness of the processes over the years and are not compensated for years of trauma when a report is not upheld.

The DFFH has undertaken a review of CIMS procedures and has released a new set of guidelines. Carers need to be aware of the fact that it is quite easy for a report to be made and that if one is made, they need to listen to this podcast and contact their support agency immediately.

I recommend that carers listen to this podcast right away and then refer to it later, if necessary, as well.

Cheers

Anne McLeish
Director

A new video from GPV/KCV on positive discipline

GPV/KCV is pleased to launch its video on positive discipline.  It is a feature in the GPV/KCV campaign to ensure that physical punishment of children is made illegal across Australia.

The video is a reminder that positive discipline can work and should be viewed in conjunction with reading written materials on positive discipline.

Non-physical types of discipline for children and young people (booklet)
Reasons not to hit children (article)
Physical punishment in Australia (video)

GPV/KCV commends signing the petition to have physical punishment made illegal across Australia.

This guide has been developed by KCV in response to previous nutrition seminars.

The articles in this magazine have been selected to reflect the conversations that took place at those seminars.