Carer Council Member: Dana Wright

Dana is a kinship carer to her grandson and a registered nurse who has worked with children in acute and community services over the past 40 years. Dana currently works as a Project Manager in the Department of Health and Wellbeing and we asked her answer some questions about her role on the Carer Council.

 

Q: What are your hopes for the Carer Council?

Carer’s voices are so important and need to be heard. If we are to recruit more carers into the current system and keep carers doing the difficult and challenging work that we do, we need strong voices and advocates.

I hope we can ensure improved outcomes in a variety of areas affecting all carers and I feel passionate about ensuring that carers are treated with respect and that there is equity and fairness in all government processes and procedures.

 

Q: From your experience, what are some of the areas that need addressing in child protection?

From what I have learnt meeting with other carers and being on the council, some of the big areas that need addressing include consistency in practices, improved communication and transparency with carers, carers being more collaborative in the processes and decision making and fairer financial supports for carers who often are at financial disadvantage because of their caring role.

 

Q: What experience and skills do you bring to the role?

Working in government for 40 years has given me a sound knowledge of how government processes work and the challenges around this.

I have connected with many agencies throughout my work, including health, disability, education and child protection and this has given me confidence to feel that I can contribute positively in the Carer Council role.