News
17 February, 2024
How Anglicare helps foster and kinship carers
Last year Anglicare Southern Queensland raised more than $20,000 at the annual Bridge to Brisbane, aimed at shining a light on foster and kinship carers and the difference they make in the lives of the children they care for.
With many carer households struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis, Anglicare wanted to raise awareness and funds to help provide young people in out-of-home care, the opportunities that other children take for granted, allowing them to experience a childhood and to grow up to be contributing members of society.
Some of the initiatives included:
providing short holiday breaks for carers and children to experience a ‘family holiday’
camps for children and young people, as a positive respite option, where respite care can’t be sourced
cultural activities/groups for children, young people and carers to enhance cultural awareness and connection
conferences and training for carers to enhance skills and development to better support young people in placement (outside of existing, funded support).
Anglicare Southern Queensland has been supporting thousands of foster and kinship carers for more than 30 years and is involved in recruiting, training and providing ongoing assistance to all carers, the young people in care and their families.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Children, Youth and Families Service Manager in Caboolture, Megan Scholes, said while more people are putting their hands up to become a foster carer, there is an urgent need for more carer families in the Moreton Bay region.
“We are always looking for ways to creatively support our carers and equip them with the tools they need to confidently care for a child and provide a safe and nurturing home,” Ms Scholes said.
“We work alongside over a hundred general foster and kinship carer households in the region.
“We’re looking for new general carers who are able to care for sibling groups, of two or three children under the age of 12, either to support reunification or we also need carers with long-term capacity.
“There is also a need across the region for new carers who are able to provide weekend short-term breaks for our current primary carers.” Ms Scholes urged anyone considering being a carer to reach out for more information.
“We are always looking for more carers and I would encourage anyone who is considering fostering to speak to one of our staff about taking that initial step.
“It can be a wonderful and rewarding role, and we will be there to support you each step of the way.
“You can be single, married, a same sex or de facto couple, retired, working full-time or part-time, it doesn’t matter.
“The important thing is that you’re genuinely willing and able to offer a positive environment to support and nurture the best interests of every child.”
Anglicare is a not-for-profit charity that provides a range of social services including mental health, counselling, homelessness support and aged care, and has been supporting foster carers for the past 30 years.
To learn more about becoming a foster carer, register for an upcoming information session at youbeyou.org.au or call the Caboolture Children, Youth and Families service on (07) 5428 4949. Visit www.anglicaresq.org.au
