Foster Care Week - Sunday 14 to Saturday 20 September
Victoria's Foster Care Week runs from Sunday 14 to Saturday 20 September and is an annual celebration recognising the vital role of foster carers in supporting children and young people.
During the week, the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare and Victoria's state-wide foster care recruitment service, Fostering Connections, highlight the importance of foster care and the positive impact foster carers have on the lives of children and young people.
This year's theme 'Time to Care' celebrates the valuable time that foster carers dedicate to supporting children and young people and celebrates how much each and every one of those moments matter.
With the growing need for carers and a diverse group of children needing care, there has never been a better time for people from all walks of life to become foster carers.
A national push to value foster carers
The Centre is backing a national call for a "Gold Card"" a dedicated support card modelled on the Veterans Gold Card " to ensure children in out-of-home care have timely and seamless access to healthcare and essential services.
The Gold Card would establish priority access to medical, dental, mental health, and specialist care - helping to eliminate barriers such as missing Medicare cards and patchy medical histories, that currently hinder timely and consistent support.
This Gold Card would mean a reduction in delays and allow agencies and carers to advocate more effectively for each child's wellbeing.
The Centre is also advocating an increase in the tax-free foster care allowance to help carers provide stable and nurturing environments for the children who depend on them as well as changing the National Employment Standards, so foster carers are afforded the same rights as parents.
Significant economic benefit of foster care
The case for greater recognition is supported by the findings of the Cube Group's Economic Value of Foster Care report, which shows foster care not only transforms the lives of children but also delivers over $600 million in value to Victoria each year.
Carers contribute more than $400 million in volunteer time annually and save government over $200 million by preventing higher-cost placements. Without them, the social and financial cost would be far greater.
Deb Tsorbaris, CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, says:
"We are excited to work with all parties to get this across the line. The Gold Card would be a tangible way to value carers for the extraordinary contribution they make, while ensuring we have the carers we need for the future. If we can contribute this much to the economy and change the lives of our children, it's time to recognise foster care as the essential service it is."
Across Victoria, foster carers welcome children into their homes, providing safety, stability, and care during an important time in their lives.
Gippsland foster carers Rose and David, who are finalists for the Foster Carer award at the upcoming Victorian Protecting Children Awards, liken their role as respite foster carers to that of grandparents, emphasising that any adult who can provide a supportive and nurturing home environment is invaluable in a child's life.
"Fostering is providing a child with safe stepping stones. You aren't going to be by their side every day until adulthood, but you can give them a safe place for a moment in their life."
Foster carers are part of a child's broader care team, alongside their foster care agency and are provided with support day and night.
"We really appreciate our agency's 24-hour phone line and knowing that we always have someone to call, even in the middle of the night. It takes a village to raise a child, and that's really the case in foster care," says Rose.
Anyone with a safe home, a spare bedroom, and a caring heart can make a difference as a foster carer.
People interested in becoming a foster carer can call Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088 or visit fosteringconnections.com.au for more information and to apply to be a foster carer.
During the week, the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare and Victoria's state-wide foster care recruitment service, Fostering Connections, highlight the importance of foster care and the positive impact foster carers have on the lives of children and young people.
This year's theme 'Time to Care' celebrates the valuable time that foster carers dedicate to supporting children and young people and celebrates how much each and every one of those moments matter.
With the growing need for carers and a diverse group of children needing care, there has never been a better time for people from all walks of life to become foster carers.
A national push to value foster carers
The Centre is backing a national call for a "Gold Card"" a dedicated support card modelled on the Veterans Gold Card " to ensure children in out-of-home care have timely and seamless access to healthcare and essential services.
The Gold Card would establish priority access to medical, dental, mental health, and specialist care - helping to eliminate barriers such as missing Medicare cards and patchy medical histories, that currently hinder timely and consistent support.
This Gold Card would mean a reduction in delays and allow agencies and carers to advocate more effectively for each child's wellbeing.
The Centre is also advocating an increase in the tax-free foster care allowance to help carers provide stable and nurturing environments for the children who depend on them as well as changing the National Employment Standards, so foster carers are afforded the same rights as parents.
Significant economic benefit of foster care
The case for greater recognition is supported by the findings of the Cube Group's Economic Value of Foster Care report, which shows foster care not only transforms the lives of children but also delivers over $600 million in value to Victoria each year.
Carers contribute more than $400 million in volunteer time annually and save government over $200 million by preventing higher-cost placements. Without them, the social and financial cost would be far greater.
Deb Tsorbaris, CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, says:
"We are excited to work with all parties to get this across the line. The Gold Card would be a tangible way to value carers for the extraordinary contribution they make, while ensuring we have the carers we need for the future. If we can contribute this much to the economy and change the lives of our children, it's time to recognise foster care as the essential service it is."
Across Victoria, foster carers welcome children into their homes, providing safety, stability, and care during an important time in their lives.
Gippsland foster carers Rose and David, who are finalists for the Foster Carer award at the upcoming Victorian Protecting Children Awards, liken their role as respite foster carers to that of grandparents, emphasising that any adult who can provide a supportive and nurturing home environment is invaluable in a child's life.
"Fostering is providing a child with safe stepping stones. You aren't going to be by their side every day until adulthood, but you can give them a safe place for a moment in their life."
Foster carers are part of a child's broader care team, alongside their foster care agency and are provided with support day and night.
"We really appreciate our agency's 24-hour phone line and knowing that we always have someone to call, even in the middle of the night. It takes a village to raise a child, and that's really the case in foster care," says Rose.
Anyone with a safe home, a spare bedroom, and a caring heart can make a difference as a foster carer.
People interested in becoming a foster carer can call Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088 or visit fosteringconnections.com.au for more information and to apply to be a foster carer.
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