Living Arts recognised as 'Voice of Children and Young People in Care' and Keshia and Dale recognised as 'Kinship Carers of the Year'.
Image: Katrine Hildyard MP with Life Without Barriers staff at the SA Child Protection awards.
The Department for Child Protection, South Australia Awards celebrated and acknowledged the contributions and outstanding achievements of children and young people, carers, volunteers, staff and organisations from across the child protection sector. This year, Life Without Barriers’ staff, programs and carers were awarded.
Living Arts Team - Voice of Children and Young People in Care
Life Without Barriers' Living Arts team received the Voice of the Child and Young Person Award which recognises an individual or organisation supporting the voice of children and young people in care to be heard in the decisions that impact them.
With a participant-led approach, the Living Arts team empowers children and young people in care to share their stories through creative expression, utilising a diverse mix of creative skills and mediums.
This recognition celebrates the team's commitment to amplifying the voices of young people in care and to fostering positive outcomes through the power of creativity.
Phi Theodoros, Resident Artist at Life Without Barriers, shared that she was thrilled the team received this recognition.
“For the past 10 years I have been working at Life Without Barriers in our Living Arts Program here on Kaurna Land.”
“It is an immense privilege to work with young people in care and provide creative and expressive opportunities for them to share their stories, make sense of their world and/or enjoy a moment of sunshine and play without judgement.”
“We are a participant led and child focused team who utilise a diverse mix of creative skills and mediums to support our young people in care to share their stories.”
“I was absolutely blown away by being a finalist for this award, but to win is just the icing on the cake. I’m also so grateful my amazing fellow Resident Artists Mark and Natasha could join me in this moment."
“This win is for all of us, and all of the awesome Resident Artists I’ve had the joy of working with over the past decade.”
“Thank you to my wonderful and supportive manager Lucy Wade for the nomination and to Lisa Woods and Rachael Dean for joining us and celebrating this exciting win!”
Image: Phi Theodoros holding the Voice of Children and Young People in Care award.
Keshia and Dale – Kinship Carers of the Year!
The Kinship Carers of the Year award is awarded to carers who have provided exceptional care, support and stability to a child or young person, have overcome challenges to advocate for children and young people’s needs, created a positive effect on young lives, and have been proactive in nurturing and encouraging children in their care while ensuring they get the assistance they need to thrive.
Keshia and Dale are kinship carers for their two nieces and nephew and are supported by Life Without Barriers. They also have three children of their own at home.
“They’re our family and we couldn’t imagine them being anywhere else,” Keshia said.
"We wanted to keep as many of the siblings as we could together."
"It truly is a great experience to be a kinship carer."
"Every carer deserves recognition on what they do." Keshia said after winning the award.
Congratulations to Keshia and Dale! And a big thank you to all our carers during Foster and Kinship Carer Week!
Image: Kinship carer Keisha standing in front of a blue wall with logos.
MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ Program - Outstanding Service, Sector Development
Flinders University has won the Outstanding Service - Sector Development award at this year’s Child Protection Awards. The Program provides social connections and support networks to foster carers and can improve the immediate environment of children and young people in care.
Life Without Barriers' holds the replicating agency license for MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ in Australia and is keen to support other foster care agencies to start their own MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ Constellations for children, young people and carers. If you're interested in implementing MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ please contact Life Without Barriers!
Image: Katrine Hildyard MP and Melissa Gibson, Child and Family Focus SA, on stage awarding the Outstanding Service - Sector Development to Flinders University staff.
Congratulations to all the winners and the nominees!
The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of children and young people, carers, volunteers, staff and organisations from across the child protection sector.
They were delivered by the Department for Child Protection in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect on Friday 6 September, 2024 at Adelaide Oval (Tarntanya Wama).
These Awards bring together our sector and community leaders and acknowledge the valuable contribution individuals, groups and organisations make to provide a safe and thriving environment for children and young people in care.
