CREATE Foundation proudly welcomes our new Board appointee, Adina Gunnis, whose lived experience in care will be invaluable to the organisation. Professionally, Adina is a practising lawyer and has previously served on CREATE’s National Influencing Committee, and been involved as a Young Consultant on many of our programs and advocacy initiatives.
CREATE Foundation has always been committed to having people with a lived experience on the Board. CREATE developed pathways as opportunities for young people to develop skills and confidence to become Board Members. Adina seamlessly began her journey with CREATE and commenced as a participant in programmatic activity, then became a Young Consultant, and was appointed to the Influencing Committee which was a stepping stone to her Board appointment.
Ms Jacqui Reed, CREATE Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Adina’s breadth of life experience coupled with unique insights into the child protection system makes her an ideal Board Member and we’re excited to have her with us!”
Adina, shared her reflections on the news, “I feel privileged to be joining and working alongside the other immensely experienced CREATE Foundation Board Members and sharing my knowledge and experience to help shape the direction of this incredible organisation.”
“CREATE Foundation is an organisation close to my heart and I look forward to seeing the future growth and advocacy for children and young people with a care experience.”
CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience (including kinship care, foster care and residential care). CREATE develops policy and research to report on and advocate for a better care system.
For more information please visit the CREATE website at www.create.org.au
For further comment from CREATE’s Chief Executive, Ms Jacqui Reed, and/or Adina Gunnis contact Leigh White, CREATE Media Advisor, via (m) 0431 932 122 or leigh.white@create.org.au
Key statistics on the care sector in Australia:
- 46,212 children and young people were reported in 2020-21 as living in out-of-home care across Australia (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2022).
- Young people in out-of-home care are 16 times more likely to be under a youth justice order than the general population.
- 30% of young people experience homelessness within the first year of leaving care. (McDowall, 2020).
- 38% of young people have been involved with the justice system.
- 30% of young people who have left care or preparing to leave care are unemployed.
- 36% children and young people in care do not live with any of their siblings.
- 35% of young people in care have five or more caseworkers during their time in care.
- 67% of young people in care over the age of 15 are not aware of having a leaving care plan.
McDowall, J. J. (2018). Out-of-home care in Australia: Children and young people’s views after five years of National Standards. CREATE Foundation.
McDowall, J. J. (2020). Transitioning to adulthood from out-of-home care: Independence or interdependence? CREATE Foundation.
