The Minns Labor Government is appealing to people across the Illawarra and South Coast to change a child's life by becoming a foster carer, with over 50 local children needing foster care.
Right now, there are 37 children in the Illawarra and 14 children on the South Coast who cannot live safely with their families and need the love and stability provided by foster carers.
There is an acute need for all types of foster carers on the South Coast, where a shortage of local carers means that children may need to live further from family and friends.
Across the Illawarra there are sibling groups, some with children under 5 years old, who often wait the longest for a suitable home so that they can stay together.
There is also need for more local respite carers. Becoming a respite carer is a great way to start fostering children, by providing just a few days of care for kids to help other foster carers.
The Minns Labor Government is delivering historic investment to boost the training, support and financial assistance to better equip foster carers to support the children in their care.
This year, the Foster Care Allowance was increased by 20 per cent and the emergency carer payment was more than doubled to $200 per child.
This is the first time these payments have been increased in over two decades.
To learn more about becoming a foster carer, visit nsw.gov.au/fostercare.
Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:
"We are asking more people in the Illawarra and South Coast to become foster carers to help vulnerable kids across the region.
"There are many ways you can provide foster care - emergency, respite, short term and long term. Even by offering a few days or weeks of care over the holidays, you can become part of the village that vulnerable children need to thrive.
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering more support for foster carers because we value and respect the critical role they play - opening their hearts and homes to kids in care."
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
"Our government is delivering reforms that better support people becoming foster carers, because we want more safe homes for kids across our communities, including throughout the Illawarra."
Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said:
"Foster carers come from all walks of life. You can do it from a few days to a few weeks, but it takes a village to raise a child, and we need to wrap our local village around these vulnerable kids."
Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney said:
"I'm proud that we are delivering increased support for foster carers, including the first real increase to the foster care allowance in over two decades.
"We are part of an incredibly generous community, and I would urge anyone who has ever considered fostering kids in need of some love and a safe place to call home, now is the time to make the enquiry."
Member for the South Coast Liza Butler said:
"There's a real need for more people to become foster carers on the South Coast. We want local kids to stay connected to their community, family and friends and we need more foster carers to make it happen."
Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:
"We need people in our communities to make room for vulnerable children who can't live safely with their own families. The government cannot do this alone but we're providing increased support for the generous people who can care for these kids."
Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice Michael Tidball said:
"We are focused on recruiting more foster carers in the Illawarra and South Coast, so local children who cannot live safely at home can remain close to their schools, friends, culture and support networks."
"We have a particular need for carers who can support sibling groups and respite carers who can provide valuable support to existing foster families."
"Foster carers are never expected to do this alone. DCJ provides training, practical assistance, financial support and access to dedicated caseworkers who walk alongside carers every step of the way."
