QA Forum

About Anne Clarke

I joined the Australian Government Department of Family and Community Services in 2001 with a professional social work background in health and human services policy and practice. I have had many years of experience in state and Commonwealth government services, as well as in the community sector. I currently works as an Assistant Section Manager in the Family and Children's Policy Branch, Children's Issues Section which has responsibility for policy advice and coordination on issues concerning grandparents and other relatives raising children, children at risk, the National Plan for Foster Children, Young People and their Carers and other related children's issues. My particular area of interest and responsibility is in the area of grandparent and kinship carers and Australian Government assistance to children and families in this situation.

As part of Family and Children's Policy Branch, I and other staff work in close connection with other FaCS program areas responsible for payments policy and services to families and children, including those to grandparent carers.

In responding to questions on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren through the Seniors Portal Q&A Forum, I will draw on the experience of a virtual team of 'experts' in other parts of the Department who have been nominated to assist on this project.