Commencing last week, the NSW Government is running a Foster Care Recruitment Campaign in partnership with non-government agencies.
There are more than 16,000 children and young people in out-of-home care across the State. Many of these children live with relatives but thousands rely on foster carers to provide them a safe and loving home. While the Government is committed to reducing the numbers of children in care, sadly there will always be children who must be removed from their families for their own safety. There is a need for responsible, caring people to take on the challenges and rewards of fostering with a non-government agency or Community Services.
On 25 April the Government launched an advertising campaign to raise awareness of fostering and refer people to the Fostering NSW website www.fosteringnsw.com.au The website provides a one-stop shop for people wanting to learn more about fostering. The website includes information and contact details about non-government agencies that provide foster care in NSW, including agencies that work specifically with Aboriginal carers. People can also find out about fostering with Community Services.
A call centre is being established and potential carers can ring 1800 2 FOSTER to learn more about fostering and find out about local information sessions. Research carried out for Community Services reveals that 78 per cent of the community has never considered fostering and that it can take someone 12 months to contemplate becoming a foster carer before they make their first enquiry. This is why awareness raising is critical.
Aboriginal children make up a third of children in care. Recruiting Aboriginal carers is crucial to help these children stay connected to their culture and community. The campaign is also seeking to recruit carers from all cultural and language backgrounds. Helping a child in need is rewarding and worthwhile – but it has its challenges. Children in care are overcoming experiences of neglect, trauma and abuse. Carers and their families need to be very well informed before they take the step of bringing a child into their home.
Carers are not superheroes. They are ordinary, good-hearted people from all sorts of different backgrounds who willingly open their homes to children who are not their own. Fostering is not for everyone: carers need patience, a good sense of humour, and compassion to succeed. Carers undergo an assessment and thorough checks including criminal record checks to ensure they are suitable to care for children. Training, support and financial assistance are available to help with the job of fostering.
Family First believe that we all share responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of children. Research shows that a stable and nurturing home environment can provide much better life outcome for kids. For children who cannot live with their parents, this is especially important.