Have you ever considered becoming a Foster Carer ?

by StreetCorner Staff
21/04/2010

Fostering NSW has launched its biggest ever recruitment drive for foster carers. There are 16,524 children in out-of-home care in NSW, an increase of 78.2 percent since 2002 and because of the rise there is an urgent need for more people to care for these children who cannot live safely at home.

There are currently only 4,000 foster carers in NSW, and studies have shown that most people have never considered foster care, hence Fostering NSW’s new advertising campaign across television, radio and print.

Minister for Community Services Linda Burney officially launched the campaign in Sydney’s Hyde Park

“We want to get the message out far and wide, and start a public conversation about the importance of fostering and the urgent need for more people to take up this important role. “Fostering isn’t always easy, but helping to improve the health and happiness of a child who is unable to live with their family can be a truly rewarding experience. A safe, stable and loving home can truly change a child or young person’s life,” Ms Burney said today.

“I encourage people to think about fostering and consider whether they have the patience, compassion and energy to help children and young people in need. The first step is to find out more and you can do this by visiting www.fosteringnsw.com.au and listening to the stories of real-life carers online,” Minister Burney said.

Aboriginal children represent more than 30% of the children in care and Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (AbSec) Bill Pritchard said it was great to see that the need to recruit and train more Aboriginal carers is being acknowledged in this campaign.

“It is an imperative that Aboriginal children entering the care system remain connected to culture and to ensure this we need a pool of trained and accredited Aboriginal carers to look after our children when they come into care,” Mr Pritchard said.

“What many people may not realise is that you don’t need to be a married couple with children to foster. Carers come from all walks of life; they can be single, de facto, with or without children and from any religious or cultural background or geographical area,” Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Children’s Welfare Association Andrew McCallum said.

People often do not realise that there is a variety of types of foster caring, including emergency or respite care for short periods of time, others provide long term care or care for groups of siblings.

All foster carers receive initial and ongoing training, casework and peer support and a fortnightly allowance to cover day-to-day expenses. Anyone over the age of 18 can apply to be a foster carer, though all applicants must pass tests which check suitability as a carer.

For more information go to the Fostering NSW website www.fosteringnsw.com.au or call 1800 2 Foster (1800 2 367 837

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