Urgent call to help care for state’s most vulnerable children

Sunday, 10 September 2023

The NSW Government is asking the community to consider fostering a child and help care for the state’s most vulnerable children.

During Foster and Kinship Care Week, the Government is highlighting the 15,000 children and young people in NSW in the child protection system, and the dire need for community action.

Without additional community support, more vulnerable children will end up in hotels and motels.

Foster care numbers plummeted under the former government, putting more pressure on a system that is already breaking at the seams; including a $280 million budget shortfall left by the former government, which risks vulnerable children being returned to unsafe situations. Each year, 600 new foster carers are needed in NSW to take care of children who can’t live safely at home. Carers can be family members or foster carers, and come from a diverse range of backgrounds and all walks of life.

All carers receive training, support and an allowance to help them throughout their care journey.

Foster and Kinship Care Week provides an opportunity to thank the thousands of current foster and kinship carers across NSW who provide nurturing and stable homes for children and young people.

Dedicated carers:

• provide a safe, nurturing and secure home
• assist with children’s education, health, wellbeing and connection to culture
• create a homely environment, with birthday celebrations, sport and school drop offs.

To learn more about becoming a foster carer visit myforeverfamily.org.au

Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington, said:

“There are amazing foster and kinship carers right across NSW, but we desperately need more.

“Right now, there are vulnerable children who don’t have a safe place to call home.

“This week is the perfect time to think about changing a child’s life by becoming an emergency, respite or longer-term foster carer.”

CEO of Adopt Change operating My Forever Family NSW, Renée Carter said:

"We are honoured to be celebrating the incredible carer families in NSW who step up and provide safe, nurturing homes for children. Carers play a crucial role in providing security and warmth to a child when they are at their most vulnerable.

“During Foster and Kinship Care Week celebrations, we’d love to see more community members who are considering becoming a carer to reach out and take the next steps. There are different types of foster care to suit your availability. You could be the special carer to make a difference in a child’s life through providing the stability that comes from having a safe place to sleep, space to play and support to learn.”