Across Australia, thousands of children are unable to live with their biological parents. For these children, the foster care system is often a turbulent journey rather than a bridge to a stable future. The social sector’s primary challenge is moving beyond temporary “placements” toward genuine “permanency,” ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to a safe, nurturing and stable home where they can truly heal and thrive.
Achieving this demands rigorous advocacy to eliminate dangerous practices such as placing children in motels and a systemic shift toward better supporting the carers who open their hearts to children with complex trauma.
As the Chief Executive Officer of Adopt Change, Renée Leigh is a fierce advocate for children’s rights within the welfare system. Her career is driven by a singular, powerful “why”: the belief that a stable home is a fundamental entitlement for every child.
Under her leadership, Adopt Change has grown from an advocacy body into a vital service provider, notably through the Carers for Kids NSW program. Renée has been instrumental in securing major government commissions and driving legislative reforms that prioritise the long-term well-being of children in care over short-term fixes.
Q&A with Renée
What inspired you to pursue a career in the social sector?
I specifically wanted to ensure that children who come into contact with the foster care system are provided with what they are entitled to – a place to call home.
What is the most fulfilling part of your work?
The most fulfilling part of my work is seeing positive impact for children and families. When the numbers shift or systemic changes are made is satisfying. However, this can be seen and understood when witnessing the impact it has on individual children, youth and families… One story of siblings who are unable to live with their parents, being provided a home with a welcoming carer who wants and is able to provide nurture, truly brings this achievement home.
What is the most impactful project you have worked on so far?
In 2018 NSW, we were successful in being commissioned with a major government funded program, which we have retained since. Through our work in NSW, we have found thousands of potential new carer homes for children who are unable to live with their parents. We have also supported thousands of those homes to sustain their roles and be equipped to care for the children in their home who have typically experienced traumatic events and wear the effects of those experiences. Our advocacy in NSW has seen significant changes, including our part that led to the ban on placing children in motels with unaccredited agencies and shift workers in motels.
Related story: Speaking truth to power while staying solutions-focused in DFV advocacy
What are the biggest developments you have seen in the social sector so far?
- A ban in NSW on children in government care being placed in motels with shift workers from unaccredited agencies
- Improvements in the carer supports, including a 20% increase to the carer payments in NSW
- Improvements to legislation and policy nationally in relation to adoption and other permanency options for children in care
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our sector nowadays?
Two challenges are intertwined as the biggest challenge in the sector. To tackle and improve some of the hardest issues in our society, there needs to be adequate funding to enable the resources to achieve this end. Focus is then on finding ways to bring in funds to allow the work in the first place… and there is a strong level of advocacy on ensuring the issues are considered important enough to attract funding from any source.
What emerging technology or trends do you believe will shape the sector’s future?
The system for protecting children and supporting their welfare is too fractured and disparate to be truly effective. This extends from state and territory jurisdiction based legislation that flows through to policy. This is even further fractured through the number of agencies involved with differing processes and inadequate funding to retain well trained employees. Centralising data for a shared source of information will increase safety of children by providing transparency and accuracy and enable better and swift decision making.
What advice would you give aspiring leaders in this sector?
Be authentic and hold onto the “why” that brought you to the role. Find your people in the sector – those with similar values and purpose drive.
Tell us more about your organisation. What is something unique about it?
Adopt Change is a for purpose charity on a mission towards a home for every child that is safe, nurturing and stable so that children can grow, learn, play and thrive. We focus on supporting children across Australia who cannot live with their biological parents, to have a stable home and the resources to heal. We support children and those who care for them, including through our program called Carers for Kids NSW. We’re unique as an independent national organisation with this focus, including our advocacy surrounding for adoption as an option for children without homes.
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Ritchelle is Content Team Manager at Akolade, producing stories for Australia's not-for-profit sector at Third Sector.
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