Finding safe, loving and permanent homes for vulnerable children is the focus of Foster Care Week, running until 19 September, with the Department of Communities and Justice launching a recruitment campaign for new foster carers
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, Gareth Ward kicked of the recruitment campaign, promoting the different types of carers needed across the State.
“When it’s not safe for a child to remain with their parents, it is imperative that we find them a safe and stable place to call home,” Mr Ward said.
“Our Government is prioritising permanency for kids in care through open adoption and guardianship, but foster care also plays a critical role,” he said.
“We need people who are willing to open their hearts and their homes to kids in care, either temporarily and permanently, so that we can continue our work to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children in our State.”
Mr Ward said an estimated 350 carer households were needed across NSW to meet demand, with options including part-time care, restoration care, kinship care, guardianship and open adoption.
“Foster carers also come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and can be younger or older, single or married, renters or homeowners,” he said.
“A particular focus this year is on finding foster carers for older children.”
He said recruiting, training and retaining foster carers was critical to helping find vulnerable children a home.
Mr Ward said the State’s My Forever Family program gave carers the information, education and support they needed to help children thrive.
Further information on the program and how to become a foster carer can be accessed at this PS News link.
