Informal Relative Carer

An increasing number of students in Victoria are unable to live at home with their parents and reside with a relative, significant friend or a person within the student’s extended social network.

The Office of the Child Safety Commissioner has initiated the Informal Relative Carer’s Statutory Declaration which can be used by a carer where a student is not living with a parent/guardian but is living in an informal care arrangement with a carer. The school may accept enrolment and other permission forms signed by the informal relative carer if the carer provides a signed Informal Relative Carer’s Statutory Declaration to the school. Although the statutory declaration is titled for ‘relative carers’, it may be used by informal carers who are not relatives but who have the day to day care of the student and with whom the student is regularly residing. The statutory declaration applies for 12 months.

The Informal Relative Carer’s Statutory Declaration and information guide can be obtained from The Office of the Child Safety Commissioner website under Resources for parents and carers.

Information for Informal Relative Carers in the School Policy and Advisory Guide:

• Admission
• Excursions and Activities – Student Medical Information
• Excursions and Activities – Parent and Carer Consent
• Requests for Information about Students
• Health Records