Townsville foster and kinship carers recognised

Townsville’s foster and kinship carers have been thanked today for their commitment to some of the region’s most vulnerable children as Child Protection Week rolls out.

Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women Di Farmer met with carers in the region while in Townsville for the North Queensland Regional Parliament.

“The best environment for children to grow and thrive is a home environment, with love and support from the adults around them,” she said.

“In North Queensland, there are almost 1,400 children who can’t live safely at home with their parents.

“We also have 899 foster and kinship carer families, who have opened their homes and hearts to children who need somewhere safe and supportive to live.

“Our carers are wonderful people with huge hearts, and I want to say thank you for continuing to make a real difference in the lives of children in need.

“You make sure these children know they are loved, and I know each of you is someone very important to the children you welcome into your homes.”

Ms Farmer said foster and kinship carers were the backbone of the child protection system.

“While parenting is incredibly rewarding, it’s also challenging, and it can be especially challenging to look after children who may have experienced significant trauma,” she said.

“A key message of this year’s Child Protection Week is when parents are supported, kids do better, and that’s especially true of our foster and kinship carers.

“Children coming into care are coming from backgrounds which are much more complex than we’ve ever seen – for example, the number of children whose families have issues with amphetamine use including ice has jumped 20% in just the last year alone.

“More than ever, we need to support our foster and kinship carers as much as we can.

“We are working to improve that support, and I want to thank the carers who have met with me in Townsville because it’s important that I hear from you about what you need from us and how we can support you best.”

Ms Farmer said over the past year a number of changes had been made to better support carers including extending the foster and kinship carer allowance this year for children who turn 18 while still at school.

“Young people don’t turn 18 and then suddenly they’re an independent adult,” she said.

“Like every other young person, young people in care lean on that family support as they transition to independence, which is why from the middle of next year carers will have financial support for the young people in their care up to the age of 19.

“This extended funding provides our foster and kinship carers the financial stability they need to continue to support the young people in their care as part of their family.”

Ms Farmer said the State Government had also launched the Carer Connect app which means carers could access medical information, educational history and other details about a child coming into their care to make sure they were able to provide the best possible care to the child.

“This app also allows carers to upload photos of their family making the transition into their home smoother and easier for the child and the carer,” she said.

Other changes that have been made to increase support to carers include making it easier for carers to take children in their care for immunisations, the Navigate Your Health app and Kicbox.

/Public Release. View in full here.