Billy Black

Billy is our Care Experience Resources and Training Specialist, leading the design and development of special projects, resources, and training that amplify the voices of children and young people in care. Active in systems advocacy for children in care from 15 years old, Billy has brought the child’s experience to social worker training, carer training, participatory research, speaking events, carer accreditation panels, media appearances, and projects championing the voices of children. Since graduating from care, Billy has listened to and participated in hundreds of valuable stories from care alumni peers, families, social workers, and organisations to lay a fundamental work principle that all improvements to OOHC must empower children to safely lead their own stories with ample support from their trusted adults. Billy recently wrote and illustrated Roar!, a picture book designed to open conversations with young children about their valid reactions to unsafe feelings. Billy lives on the lands of the Wallumedegal clan, where all working hours are accompanied by the sounds of good children playing nicely.