Have you ever thought about becoming a foster carer? If the answer is yes – we want to hear from you.
Minister for Child Safety Di Farmer said a new recruitment campaign calls on Queenslanders to sign up to provide safe and loving homes for Queensland’s most vulnerable children.
“I am incredibly proud of the work foster and kinship carers do, providing shelter, comfort and love to children who cannot live at home with their family,” she said.
“They are some of the most selfless, generous and caring people in Queensland, opening their hearts and their homes to children who need love, support and stability.
“If you are interested, I encourage you to take the next step to join the thousands of other foster and kinship carers across the state.”
Ms Farmer said the foster carer recruitment campaign was part of a $2.6 million campaign that aimed to attract more foster carers.
The campaign includes a series of short stories profiling carers’ personal experiences and champions their efforts and will be rolled out through television, social media and digital advertisements across the state.
“I am delighted to see this campaign recognises we have a pool of extraordinary foster carers and calls for more like them,” she said.
“Every opportunity I have I remind people of the fact that carers are the backbone of our child protection system and co-workers in our response to protect children from harm and neglect.”
Ms Farmer said the campaign to increase the number of carers is part of the government’s commitment to strengthen the child protection system and keep children and young people safe.
“We know we cannot do this alone and that protecting children is everybody’s responsibility,” she said.
“That’s why we are calling on Queenslanders to join us.”
Ms Farmer said there’s no better way to know if becoming a carer is the right thing for you than seeing and hearing the stories from carers themselves.
Daveena and Des Lawlor, who feature in the campaign, have been fostering for five years now and say that it is something they had always wanted to do.
Des is full of encouragement for people to become foster carers.
“If you’ve got a place in your home and your heart for a child – then do it,” he said.
“Children are the future for us all so let’s help them have a better future.”
Daveena, who identifies as Aboriginal, says it’s very important for Indigenous children to be with Indigenous carers to keep culture going.
“Children need to know where they’re from and be proud of who they and their kin are,” she said.
