MOUNT Gambier social welfare agency ac.care has welcomed a renewed State Government focus on recruitment of foster carers in country areas.
The agency is encouraging people in the Limestone Coast community to consider becoming foster carers to meet the growing demand of children in need of a safe and nurturing home.
“Sadly, the need for all types of care continues to rise, for newborn infants through to youths aged in their late teens,” Limestone Coast ac.care foster care program manager Dani Atkinson said.
“Children thrive in family-based placements, particularly when they can stay in their local area and maintain connections to friends, extended family, school, sport and familiar places and faces.”
Members of the ac.care team met with Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson this week during her visit to the region to launch a state-wide foster carer recruitment website.
Ms Atkinson said ongoing efforts by ac.care to recruit people to be part of its network of valued foster carers across the region were leading to new volunteers opening their homes to children.
But she said some misconceptions continued to discourage potential carers, including concerns over levels of commitment and local need.
“The reality is there are many children in foster care in the region, there will be more children over time requiring foster care in the future and children will require different types of care,” Ms Atkinson explained.
“Some care is only for short-term arrangements, some is for long-term where the agency seeks to provide stable homes for them until they are 18 years of age and beyond and some is for respite where the arrangement might be for a weekend.”
Limestone Coast ac.care placement support worker Emily Wastell said foster carers made a huge difference in the lives of children in need, while also enriching their own lives through forming special bonds with young people.
“The agency cannot thank enough the foster carers that we currently support – words cannot describe their commitment to the safety of children and contribution to an increasing need in our local community,” she said.
“Our carers fulfil a remarkable role caring for children, providing a safe and nurturing home that can make a huge difference in the life of a young person in need.”
As a provider of foster care services since its formation in 1986, ac.care’s staff includes a locally-based carer support team with workers on call at all times to provide assistance.
The agency also provides consultancy services with a registered psychologist, links to relevant training and informal networking support with other carers.
A rigorous assessment process for potential carers is followed by ac.care, including police clearances, to ensure a suitable match between a child and a home.
“Each child has different needs and every family has something different to offer,” Ms Wastell said.
She said various family situations could accommodate a foster care arrangement, from traditional families to same-sex couples and single adult households.
“We welcome all families regardless of marital status, families with children, families without children, gender, sexuality, race or religion,” Ms Wastell said.
Foster family placements are sought through ac.care for children who have been taken into the care of the Department for Child Protection under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act.
If you would like to know more about becoming a foster carer in Mount Gambier, email care@accare.org.au or call 8724 5400.
