New recruitment campaign to address foster carer shortage

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre) and the Victorian Minister for Community Services, the Hon. Lisa Neville, today launched a new, statewide foster care recruitment campaign to address Victoria’s shortfall of 1,000 foster carers.

Developed by the Centre with funding from the Victorian Government, the Foster carers come from all walks of life campaign promotes the rewarding experience of foster care to more Victorians and highlights the diversity of people eligible to become carers.

Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, Coleen Clare said: “The current shortage of foster carers means that some of Victoria’s most vulnerable children are missing out on a safe home in foster care.
“On any given day there are about 5,000 Victorian children who cannot live at home through no fault of their own. These kids are often sad and confused and need a safe home to recover from the trauma they have experienced in their lives,” Ms Clare said.

“While many vulnerable children receive the benefits of a loving foster home, too many have to be placed in inappropriate, temporary placements or with carers who don’t live close to their family, school, community and the specialist services they need.

“Our research tells us that while 20 percent of Victorians would consider becoming foster carers, many are discouraged from taking the next step and enquiring because they have a range of misperceptions about foster care, such as believing that foster carers have to be part of a nuclear family.
“This simply isn’t true. Foster carers are ordinary people from all walks of life, backgrounds, ages and experiences.

“Anyone who is over 21 years of age and can offer a child in need a secure, loving home, is eligible to become a foster carer, including single, de facto or married people with or without children.”

All prospective carers must also be willing to complete 20 hours of training and undergo an accreditation process.

“We encourage Victorians from all walks of life to take the next step to making a real difference to the life of a child or young person in need of care by enquiring about how to become a foster carer,” Ms Clare said.

The campaign includes TV and radio community service announcements, a new campaign website, new promotional materials and regional support and training events.

Anyone interested in finding out more information about foster care should call the Foster Care Hotline on 1800 013 088 or visit www.fosterabrighterfuture.com.au