NSW
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Carers For kids nsw
At Carers for Kids NSW, we care for those who care for children. Our goal is to see all children receive the care they deserve, and all carers receive the support and training they need to enable children and young people to flourish.
Carers for Kids NSW is a government-funded program operated by Adopt Change, delivering specialised training and tailored support to meet the needs of different care arrangements. Whether you are a part-time, long-term, emergency, short-term or restoration carer, a relative or kinship carer, a guardian or an adoptive parent, we're here to support you. Our experienced Carer Support team offers a listening ear, practical guidance and access to relevant resources, helping you provide the best possible care for children and young people.
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Renée Leigh
Chief Executive Officer
Renée Leigh is the Chair of the National Foster & Kinship Care Collective and is CEO of Adopt Change, which also operates the government-funded program Carers for Kids NSW to support, train and advocate for carers (foster, kinship, guardian and adoptive) of children in care. Renee is a passionate advocate for the well-being of children and young people, with a focus on children with an experience in the Australian child protection system.
Renée leads a team of Adopt Change Changemakers across a range of work. National activities include the annual #THRIVE National Permanency Conference; campaigns including ‘A Home for Every Child’ to find more homes and support; MyPacks first night backpacks for kids entering care; along with engagement with community, government, child welfare sector; and is regularly sought to speak with media about child welfare, trauma-informed care, permanency and adoption.
Renée has held roles on advisory committees including as a member of the Institute Advisory Group for the independent research centre – Institute of Open Adoption Studies (The University of Sydney); various government and cross-sector advisory groups and taskforces; and was previously Vice Chair of NSW Committee on Adoption and Permanent Care (COAPC).She is a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors, with a background in communications and executive management, along with board level experience in corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Her experience includes three years as Chair of charity Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS), an organisation focused on early intervention, education and support of families and communities; and Managing Director of corporate, investor and creative communications specialists Designate Group.
Renée is committed to influencing child welfare policy and practice for social impact – to bring about timely and effective outcomes for children so they can have better childhood experiences and a brighter future.
Renée leads a team of Adopt Change Changemakers across a range of work. National activities include the annual #THRIVE National Permanency Conference; campaigns including ‘A Home for Every Child’ to find more homes and support; MyPacks first night backpacks for kids entering care; along with engagement with community, government, child welfare sector; and is regularly sought to speak with media about child welfare, trauma-informed care, permanency and adoption.
Renée has held roles on advisory committees including as a member of the Institute Advisory Group for the independent research centre – Institute of Open Adoption Studies (The University of Sydney); various government and cross-sector advisory groups and taskforces; and was previously Vice Chair of NSW Committee on Adoption and Permanent Care (COAPC).She is a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors, with a background in communications and executive management, along with board level experience in corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Her experience includes three years as Chair of charity Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS), an organisation focused on early intervention, education and support of families and communities; and Managing Director of corporate, investor and creative communications specialists Designate Group.
Renée is committed to influencing child welfare policy and practice for social impact – to bring about timely and effective outcomes for children so they can have better childhood experiences and a brighter future.