MacKillop Family Services’ Victorian state manager for foster care Tania Ferris says the wider community is not aware how the lack of foster carers is impacting vulnerable children and young people.
To highlight the drastic shortage of foster carers, MacKillop launched its first ever day of action on Wednesday September 14, calling for the Greater Geelong community to think about becoming carers.
“Last year in Victoria, 367 foster carers exited the system due to the pressures of lockdown, while only 373 new foster carers were accredited,” Ms Ferris said.
“We know our carers are willing to go above and beyond for the children in their care, but they need the support of more carers in the system.”
Jan Juc foster carers, Lynn and Mark Brierty, support 15-year-old Cara* and her five-month-old baby.
“Supporting Cara and her new baby is something we are very proud of. Cara came to us days before baby Charlotte* was due to be born, and she was frightened and unsure how to cope,” Lynn said.
“When I look at her now and see how confident she is with the baby, I know we have made a difference in both their lives.”
Lynn and Mark have been foster carers for seven years and were already looking after two sisters aged seven and nine.
“I’d wanted to be a foster carer for a very long time, and I was delighted that Mark also believes it is important to support vulnerable children,” Lynn said.
“Once our own kids were grown up, we had the time and investigated how we could become carers. I’m so glad we did it. I’d have hated to have lived my life without going on this exciting journey of foster care.
“We will be dropping postcards at local cafes, putting leaflets in the letterboxes of neighbours or sending emails to our clubs and networks.”
Find out more about foster care online at mackillop.org.au/get-involved/become-a-foster-carer or call MacKillop Enquiry Line on 1300 791 677.
*names changed to protect privacy
