With more than 45,000 children currently in out-of-home care, Australia faces a growing need for foster carers across the nation.[1]
The cost-of-living crisis has made 2024 a difficult year for many and financial pressures on families can trigger an increase in the number of children coming into care. This puts added stress on the limited number of carers and foster care agency, MacKillop Family Services is calling on the community to help.
Emily Roalfe from near Lismore, NSW, has been a foster carer for nine years. Initially Emily provided part-time care, supporting other foster carers by looking after a child for one night or a weekend, so their regular carers could have a break.
Emily says part-time care was a good way to learn about foster care, and very soon she decided that she could provide more long-term care.
“Seeing a vulnerable little face looking back at me struck a chord. Children in foster care are individual people who have their own story and might have been through a lot, but they are just children looking for love and security.
“I feel so lucky to be in a position to make a real difference to a child’s life and it is a pleasure to see how the children in my care are thriving. I want to see more people help out and stop waiting for the right time – there is never a ‘right time’. If you have love in your heart and space in your home, there is a kid out there who could use your help right now,” says Emily.
Jasmine Perry, National Leader of Foster Care Development at MacKillop Family Services says finding carers has never been more difficult.
“When foster carers aren’t available locally, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep children in their own communities, where they can maintain connections to family, school friends and recreational activities, like the sporting clubs they belong to.”
Jasmine adds, “Carers work as part of a team to provide the kind of wrap-around support that makes a huge difference to a child’s chances in life. It’s more than just providing a roof over their heads – it’s about creating opportunities for children to grow, heal, and thrive.”
MacKillop provides foster carers with training, regular respite, access to therapeutic specialists and financial support. If you are interested or to find out more, please call 1300 791 677 or visit mackillop.org.au/fostercare.
For further information, contact the MacKillop media team:
angela.mallon@mackillop.org.au
Mob 0438 076 313
