Released 10/09/2017
As Foster and Kinship Care Week kicks off, I am pleased to announce that the ACT Together consortium is halfway to its 2017 target of recruiting 80 new foster carers, with 40 Canberrans stepping up to care for vulnerable children in the ACT.
Now we need 40 more; are you one of them?
Foster carers are central to providing stable, supportive and loving homes to children and young people who are not able to live with their birth families.
Under the ACT Government’s five year out of home care strategy, A Step Up for Our Kids, the ACT Togetherconsortium, led by Barnardos, delivers out of home care services and is responsible for recruiting new foster carers.
Foster and kinship carers are the backbone of the out of home care system, and A Step Up for Our Kids aims to better support them, recognising the vital role they play in the lives of children and young people.
Melissa Bell, ACT Together General Manager of Operations, said “ACT Together calls on Canberrans to ‘step up’ and change a child’s life in our community. For as little as a weekend a month, to as long as a lifetime. No matter how much time you have – you can positively change a child’s life by becoming a foster carer.”
“Foster and Kinship Care Week is 11- 17 September 2017. At this time we urge all those thinking about becoming a Foster Carer to consider ‘stepping up’ for kids who need you. No matter if you are young and working, retired, single, married or in a same-sex relationship – ACT Together wants to hear from you.”
ACT Together particularly needs carers willing to care for children for a short time while their families receive the help and support they need to safely have their kids back at home, as well as carers willing to take older kids and teenagers as they prepare for adulthood.
ACT Together will hold a range of free information sessions in Foster and Kinship Care Week to provide more information about being a carer:
- Monday 11 September, Vikings Tuggeranong 1-2pm
- Tuesday 12 September, Gungahlin Lakes, 1-2pm
- Wednesday 13 September, ACT Together offices Bruce 6-7pm
To find out more about becoming a foster carer or to RSVP for an information session call 1300 WE FOSTER or visit www.acttogether.org.au
Note - Foster dad Luke Griggs is available for interview.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases