More foster carers are needed in the Murraylands, AC Care says
Regional South Australians are being encouraged to consider signing up to help vulnerable children in need of a home.
Every child, in every community, needs a fair go.
That is the theme of this year's National Child Protection Week, held in the first week of September.
This month, community agency AC Care is encouraging regional South Australians to consider joining its network of supported foster carers.
The call to action comes as the state also celebrates Foster and Kinship Carer Week from September 8-14.
The weeks highlight the incredible network of foster carers and are proud of how they make differences to children's lives.
Caring adults can provide children and young people unable to live with their birth parents an opportunity to grow in their own community, in a safe and nurturing environment.
Shalini McCarthy, AC Care's out-of-home care clinical practical lead, said that while it was important to highlight the carers who provided safe, loving homes, the reality was that more were needed.
She encouraged people considering foster care to reach out and learn more about how their care could help a child in need.
“Long-term foster carers are vital, but there are varying levels of time and commitment you can provide to support a child or young person," she said.
“You can commit to anything from respite for weekends, through to emergency, short or long-term care.”
Important foster carer qualities include:
- a love of children
- an ability to understand and respect each child as an individual
- the capacity to look after young people in a safe and stable environment
Foster carers can be any gender or sexual orientation, single, married, de facto, blended families or same sex couples and are usually between the ages of 25 and 70.
Carers may have children of their own and have various lifestyles involving a range of commitments such as working full-time, part-time, retired or studying.
“We support your foster care journey every step of the way with ongoing training and development and personalised support,” Ms McCarthy said.
“You will also become part of our incredible carer network and will connect with other passionate carers through events and opportunities.”
- More information: Call AC Care from 9am-5pm on weekdays on 1300 ACCARE; visit www.accare.org.au; or follow the agency's Facebook page
