The client incident management system (CIMS) is a process implemented across all department-funded organisations, including out-of-home care providers.

CIMS focuses on the safety and wellbeing of clients (in our case children and young people in care) and outlines what needs to happen when an incident occurs that alleges abuse, unexplained injury or poor quality of care of a child or young person in out-of-home care.

If carers should at any time experience a CIMS allegation they are very welcome to seek support from FCAV as we understand that this can be time consuming, emotionally draining and overwhelming as carers navigate the system, even when the outcome is that the allegation is unsubstantiated.

The FCAV can offer advice, information, support and advocacy and carers can ring us on 9416 9492 or book an appointment online:  https://www.fcav.org.au/contacts/fcav-contacts#enquiry

Refer to the DFFH tip sheets on CIMS - https://providers.dffh.vic.gov.au/guide-out-home-carers-cims

Foster carers have also found our Carer Assistance Program (CAP) helpful and this therapeutic service (similar to EAP) provides 3 to 4 sessions to help carers with physical and psychological wellbeing and could include helping deal with loss or grief, anxiety or depression, compassion fatigue or system ‘trauma’ following CIMS, being deregistered or the loss of carer identity. Carers can access CAP online: https://www.fcav.org.au/carer-resources/cap