Foster carers needed
Captain Michelle White, Director of Young Hope is excited to support the new Fostering NSW campaign to recruit more foster carers across the state. (Photo: Esther Pinn)
A statewide campaign is encouraging more people, including single adults and those of different backgrounds, to consider becoming a foster carer.
The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) launched the Fostering NSW campaign on 30 May at Sydney’s Parliament House, with the Salvation Army’s Young Hope program supporting the call for more foster carers.
ACWA is the peak body for non-government organisations involved in out-of-home care, such as The Salvation Army. Since the start of this year, The Salvation Army’s Young Hope program has provided foster care to children aged from 5 days to 16 years.
Roughly 18,000 children are in foster care across NSW and by the end of June, Young Hope will provide out-of-home care to 59 children and young people.
Young Hope is joining the one-year Fostering NSW campaign to petition for more carers to support the influx of children needing care.
“There’s just not enough foster careers in NSW, especially for the older age bracket,” explains Captain Michelle White, Director of Young Hope.
NSW Minister for Family and Community Services, Pru Goward cuts the "Open Your Heart" cake to officially launch the Fostering NSW campaign with the help of a NSW foster carer. (Photo: Esther Pinn)
Young Hope offers varying types of foster care, including respite care, emergency care, and short and long-term care, provided by people of different demographics and backgrounds.
The NSW Government has invested $1 million to help recruit 450 new carers through the campaign. Minister for Family and Community Services, Pru Goward spoke at the campaign’s launch.
“There is [an] urgent need for new foster families to provide safety and stability for vulnerable children and young people,” said Ms Goward.
“We will not change a child’s life without a [foster carer] who cares, who loves, who’s patient, who’s kind – and that’s you. That’s our foster carers,” she said. “We are grateful for the gift you give to the children of NSW.”
Andrew McCallum, CEO of ACWA also spoke at the launch, explaining the goals of the Fostering NSW goals. The campaign will be targeting carers outside of the normal demographic, such as single adults, and it hopes to increase the amount of Aboriginal foster careers.
For further information about becoming a foster carer in NSW through Young Hope, visit salvos.org.au/younghope
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