Caregiver Awareness Week 4–10 March 2024
Published: March 4, 2024
Caregiver Awareness Week, also known as Foster Care Awareness Week, is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank caregivers for all that they do, supporting tamariki and rangatahi when they need it most.
More than 20 events are being held around the motu, including the Excellence in Foster Care Awards in Wellington.
Awards recognise outstanding caregivers
Nominees for the Excellence in Foster Care Awards can include whānau and kin caregivers, grandparents raising grandchildren, and others providing a safe home and support for tamariki or rangatahi who, for a range of reasons, cannot currently live at home.
The Awards are sponsored by Barnardos, Open Home Foundation, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Kia Puāwai, and hosted by Caring Families Aotearoa.
We would like to acknowledge this year’s recipients, which include 7 Oranga Tamariki caregiving whānau.
“Thanks to Caring Families Aotearoa for shining a light on whānau who open their homes and their hearts to support the tamariki and rangatahi in their care. While this can be a challenging role, we know it is also incredibly rewarding, and I hope caregivers can find some time this week to reflect on all you have done and continue to do.
“My respect and gratitude go to all of the nominees and caregiving whānau throughout Aotearoa. Thank you for your essential contribution to making our country a safe, supportive environment for children and young people when they need it most.” – Janet Smart, General Manager Caregiver Recruitment and Support.
Oranga Tamariki caregiving whānau
At Oranga Tamariki, we support over 2000 caregiving whānau across Aotearoa, including respite, emergency, transitional and family home caregivers, through our Caregiver Recruitment and Support (CGRS) service.
Caregiving whānau are supported by:
- a dedicated team of Caregiver Social Workers, Supervisors, Caregiver Recruitment and Support Managers and Workplace Administrators
- our Caregiver Enquiries Team and 24/7 0508 caregiver support line, and
- access to free counselling and support for life events through our Caregiver Assistance Programme.
In addition to the Prepare to Care foundational learning that is provided to each caregiver during their approval process, they also have the opportunity to receive Trauma Informed Learning through contracted providers – something caregivers told us would be useful to them.
Read more about being a caregiver
Anyone who is interested in becoming a caregiver can find out more about what’s involved, including financial assistance and learning opportunities for caregiving whānau.