In an alarming reflection of the struggles within Victoria’s child protection system, Sofie, an early childhood educator, finds herself unexpectedly navigating the complexities of kinship care with baby Lily. What began as a weekend arrangement has now extended into a life-altering commitment, revealing the pressing issues within the system that prioritises family placements over institutional care.
An Unexpected Call for Help
The evening of Sofie’s life changed dramatically when she received a phone call from a child protection worker asking if she could take care of Lily for the weekend. Sofie, who had only a fleeting acquaintance with the infant, was taken aback. Just hours earlier, the court had made a grave decision, deeming Lily too at risk to remain with her mother. With time running out, the worker insisted they needed a foster or kinship carer, and Sofie found herself grappling with the weight of responsibility.
“I said, ‘No, we are not working here Saturday
