Hunter residents are being urged to change a child's life and become a foster carer, with the Minns Labor Government launching a local foster carer recruitment drive.
Right now, there are over 160 children and young people across the Hunter who cannot live safely with their families, and require the love and stability that foster care provides.
There is a particular need for people to care for sibling groups, some with children under 5 years old; and adolescents, who often wait the longest to be placed with foster carers.
Research shows that many potential carers remain hesitant due to misconceptions about their eligibility and the time required to foster a child. There are many ways to start fostering, including providing just a few days of respite to other foster carers.
This recruitment drive is part of the Minns Labor Government's historic $1.2 billion child protection package, which is investing in improved foster care recruitment, training and support.
In January, the Foster Care Allowance was increased for the first time in 20 years, lifting the base rate by 20 per cent. A foster carer of a typical 14-year-old is now more than $4,500 better off each year.
The previous Liberal-National government inexplicably stopped recruiting foster carers, leading to a chronic carer shortage and an overreliance on high-cost emergency accommodation. Despite considerable progress, too many children remain in these arrangements simply because there aren't enough carers.
The Minns Labor Government has restarted foster carer recruitment, and is increasing carer support through improved training, and financial and professional assistance, so that foster carers are better equipped to support the children in their care.
To learn more about becoming a foster carer, visit nsw.gov.au/fostercare.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
"I know there are hundreds of people across the Hunter who have what it takes to become a foster carer. I encourage anyone who is considering fostering to reach out and find out how you can support vulnerable kids in our communities."
Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:
"Fostering is a profoundly rewarding way to change a child's life. Every child deserves a safe and loving home. Right now, across our region there are too many kids who are going without."
"There are many ways you can help a vulnerable child, by providing emergency, respite, short or long term care. You can foster if you rent or own your own home, if you're single or married, work full-time or are retired - all you need is love in your heart and space in your home."
Jenny Aitchison, Member for Maitland said:
"Our government has delivered the first increase to the foster care allowance in over two decades. Labor will always support these incredible people who step up to look after for the most vulnerable children in our society."
Tim Crakanthorp, Member for Newcastle said:
"The Minns Labor Government is investing in foster carers so they can provide quality support for children in their care. There are many ways you can foster a child and provide that much-needed stability for kids across our community."
Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice, Michael Tidball, said:
"Local foster carers are the backbone of our care system, helping children stay connected to their communities, schools and support networks. We know fostering looks different for everyone, which is why we're focused on removing barriers and backing carers with practical, financial and professional support. If you've ever thought about fostering, now is the time to step forward and be part of the Hunter's foster care community."
