CHILDREN in out-of-home care need to know their voices matter, says Northbridge-based CREATE Foundation consultant volunteer Natasha Dale.
Ms Dale is a finalist in the Constable Care Child Safety Awards for her volunteer work with the foundation, which represents children and young people with an out-of-home care experience.
At just 24 years old, the Rockingham resident has been volunteering for almost 10 years and can relate to other children in out-of-home care because she experienced it first-hand.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW"I tell them why I came into care, what I experienced in foster care," Ms Dale said.
"I always felt different, like I didn't belong anywhere, but my foster mum helped me to feel like I belonged.
"The most important thing is to give children a voice. No matter what their age, they can speak for themselves."
Ms Dale has influenced child protection policy and legislation and met senior government officials to discuss issues facing young people in care. She regularly sits on panels and takes part in training sessions to encourage social workers towards best practice.
Ms Dale was in a children's home from four years old and then lived in a foster home from 6 to 17.
She said it was important that siblings were able to stay together and had foster homes that were long-term.
"Having siblings makes it more bearable; it's a connection to where you came from," she said.
"It is weird to be nominated for the award because that's not why I do it.
"Im just trying to change the future for the next generation of kids going into care. That's a reward in itself."
Winners will be announced on August 1.