This week is Foster and Kinship Care Week.  On Sunday, Karen McKeown MP joined Kate Washington MP, Minister for Families and Communities Minister for Disability Inclusion at the Penrith Showground for a picnic and the opportunity to thank the thousands of current foster and kinship carers across NSW.

“We are honoured to be celebrating these incredible carer families in NSW who step up and provide safe, nurturing homes for children. Carers play a crucial role in providing security and warmth to a child when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Minister Washington.

Karen McKeown MP agreed: “I know we have some dedicated and committed carers locally around the Penrith area, but we desperately need more. Think about that spare bedroom you may have and ask the question am I able to provide a safe, nurturing home for a child? Carers play a crucial role in providing security and warmth to a child when they are at their most vulnerable.”

The NSW Government is asking the community to consider fostering a child and help care for the state’s most vulnerable children.

During Foster and Kinship Care Week, the Government is highlighting the 15,000 children and young people in NSW in the child protection system, and the dire need for community action.  Without additional community support, more vulnerable children will end up in hotels and motels.

Foster care numbers plummeted under the former government, putting more pressure on a system that is already breaking at the seams; including a $280 million budget shortfall left by the former government, which risks vulnerable children being returned to unsafe situations.

Each year, 600 new foster carers are needed in NSW to take care of children who can’t live safely at home. Carers can be family members or foster carers and come from a diverse range of backgrounds and all walks of life.

All carers receive training, support, and an allowance to help them throughout their care journey.

Minister Kate Washington, said: “There are amazing foster and kinship carers right across NSW, but we desperately need more." “Right now, there are vulnerable children who don’t have a safe place to call home.”

“This week is the perfect time to think about changing a child’s life by becoming an emergency, respite or longer-term foster carer” said Karen McKeown MP. 

To learn more about becoming a foster carer visit myforeverfamily.org.au

Attendees:

Steve Kindmond, NSW Children’s Guardian

Victoria Buchan, chair of Adopt Change

Renee Carter, CEO My Forever Family NSW

Kate Washington, Minister for Families and Communities

Karen McKeown, MP for Penrith

John Leha, CEO AbSec