More people are applying to be foster carers in South Australia than ever before. Image: Department for Child Protection SA, Facebook.
South Australia is reporting that more people are seeking to become foster carers than at any other time in the past three years.
The government said renewed interest in the care program was thanks, at least in part, to a digital advertising campaign highlighting the state’s need for emergency and short-term care options for children and young people.
More than 60 South Australians have responded to the campaign, which urged people to “Foster the Feeling”.
The campaign’s focus was on short-term, respite and emergency care roles, encouraging people to take the first steps towards becoming a carer.
“We’re thrilled at the response to this campaign and the continued interest of South Australians in wanting to be there for the children who need us most,” Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard said.
“The constant care from just one supportive and trusted adult can help a child know that they are not alone, that there is someone there for them.”
The digital campaign ran for five weeks across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google ads in October, generating a fourfold increase in the monthly average of inquiries.
South Australia has about 4900 children in care, around 1850 kinship households and about 1400 foster care households.
Foster carers can contribute as little as a few hours a day in the morning, afternoon and weekend or during the school holidays, which can make a huge difference to a child in need by providing a nurturing, safe and supportive environment.
“We know the majority of children are more likely to thrive in family-based care environments, which help form strong carer-child relationships and provide a greater sense of belonging,” DCP chief executive Jackie Bray said.
“I’m so grateful to the state’s foster and kinship carers, who help children and young people to find safety, love, and someone they can rely upon in the good times and the challenging times.”
It takes between six and nine months to complete the process of becoming a foster carer, with necessary checks, assessments and training to be carried out.
Carer roles can be flexible and tailored to accommodate a range of lifestyles and circumstances, and any amount of time can be given to change a foster child’s life.
People who would like to start the process can visit the South Australian Government’s website.
