This is your life: Life Story Book
A photograph of a baby taking his or her first steps, a school report, a class photo, a swimming certificate … these are the mementoes of the milestones that make up our lives and are often recorded for us by our parents and relatives.
Now children in out-of-home-care (and their carers) will have a way of recording these important events too – through the My Life Story Book.
Funded by DoCS, the initiative will see the distribution of more than 4000 copies of My Life Story Book to all children and young people in out-of-home care across NSW in coming weeks.
"My Life Story Book comprises colourful printed pages and it comes with supporting
stationery items needed to complete the book, presented in a ring binder folder. This will ensure carers and children can record important events and personal records are kept during the child’s time in out-of-home care,” explained DoCS Senior Policy Officer Carla Napolitano, who has been coordinating the project.
"We want this book to support children in knowing who they are – their identity and development – while also being a practical way of maintaining personal records and achievements.”
The My Life Story Book package is a new format for recording a child or young person’s life story and differs from My Book, which was previously developed by the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies and used by DoCS for some years.
"All the content has been reviewed and modernised and the package contains materials needed to complete My Life Story Book such as markers, scissors and glue,” said Carla.
My Life Story Book was developed by DoCS Out-of-Home Care Directorate in consultation with DoCS caseworkers and CREATE, the peak advocacy group for children and young people in care.