Foster carers urgently needed

Every child deserves to grow up within a stable family environment, in a loving and safe home.

But the sad reality is that not all children can.

In Victoria, during 2018-19, 10,000 children and young people were in out-of-home care.

OzChild is a leading child welfare organisation, committed to improving the lives of at-risk children, young people and families in our community.

And it is appealing this week to community members to consider foster care.

“As a fellow Gippslander, I’ve seen the love and capacity to look after others in this community – after storms, supporting local businesses during Covid and after the bush fires,” OzChild Director Dale Rogers, who is also a local resident, said.

“Our community is amazing, but I don’t think people know what’s happening to the most vulnerable people in the community, the children and young people who are unable to live at home.

“Too many children and young people are having to move away from this region, due to a lack of foster carers in Gippsland.

“If a child cannot stay with their birth family or next of kin, for a variety of complex reasons, a foster carer is the absolutely next best thing.”

Mr Rogers said when the need for foster carers in your own community is broadcast “it’s easy to think it will be ok, someone else will come forward”.

“But the reality is very few people put their hand up for what is often described as the most rewarding thing they’ll ever do.

“In Gippsland the need for carers has never been more urgent.”

Mr Rogers said his organisation has received calls for almost 400 homes for children in Gippsland over the last 12 months, but the number of carers available to answer those calls fell short.

“When we can’t find a local family to care for a child or young person, the next step is to find carers outside of the region,” he said.

However, having to place a child outside of their local area means removing them from the community they are familiar with, school, friends, and their networks.

“Maintaining connections like these is very important, for all of us. But for children already facing uncertainty, stability and familiarity can make an incredible difference during such a traumatic time.”

Finding a foster home where siblings can be cared for together is also challenging Mr Rogers said.

“If foster carers cannot take all siblings together, sometimes the only option is to separate the children.

“And nobody wants to see that happen,” he said.

“I implore anyone who has ever considered becoming a carer to take the first step and reach out to us today.

“We’d love to hear from you.”

OzChild foster carer Lisa Liang is one such person who contacted OzChild and is very glad she did.

“I encourage anyone wanting to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children in your local community to do it,” said Lisa.

“It’s something I wish I’d done sooner.”

You’ll never regret being the lifeline a child so desperately needs, is the message from OzChild

For more information on becoming a foster carer, and helping vulnerable children in need, you can enquire online at ozchild.org.au and discover how you can get involved.