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30 July 2008
Free seminar helping abused children to heal
Places are still available for a free seminar aimed at helping traumatised
children to heal.
Being held in Kogarah, the seminar is specifically tailored for foster carers
and kinship carers – the grandparents, aunties, uncles and adult siblings who
have taken on the responsibility of caring for abused children within their own
family.
Presented by Sydney Children’s Hospital counsellor, Paul Morgan, in partnership
with Carers NSW and Georges River Life Care, the free seminar will explain the
impact of abuse and neglect on child development, as well as provide practical
advice on what can be done at home to reduce the long term effects of child
abuse and neglect.
According to Mr Morgan, as the number of children being removed from the care of
their abusive parents increases, so does the need to support foster and kinship
carers.
“Kinship carers have a particularly challenging task on their hands. Not only do
they face the usual challenges that come with parenting, such as behavior
management and financial pressures, they also face the added stress of caring
for a child who has been abused by one of their own family members,” said Mr
Morgan.
“These carers can feel socially isolated and may have difficulty coping with the
child’s biological parents, whose behaviour may be influenced by substance abuse
or mental illness.
“Grandparent carers can also face the added issues of feeling overwhelmed by the
physical demands of caring for energetic children, as well as grief over the
loss of lifestyle usually associated with retirement.”
Mr Morgan said that while foster carers and kinship carers should be commended
for taking on the responsibility of caring for abused children, they need
ongoing support and guidance.
The free seminar will explain the impact of abuse and neglect on child
development, as well as provide practical advice on what can be done at home to
reduce the long term effects of child abuse and neglect.
Paul Morgan has been working with abused children and their families for more
than 10 years and also facilitates a Kinship Carer’s Support Group at Sydney
Children’s Hospital and an Aboriginal Kinship Carer’s Support Group at La
Perouse Community Health Centre.
If you are interested in attending the seminar, please contact Glenn Power from
Georges River Life Care on (02) 9153 6300.
When:
Tuesday, 12 August, 2008, 10am -2pm
Where:
St George Leagues Club, 124 Princes Highway, Kogarah
Media Contact: Jessica Jaramillo, (02) 9382 3578 or 0404 001 722.
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