General News
15 April, 2024
Seeking safe haven for children in need
Wimmera family services agency Berry Street is putting the call out for foster carers after only five of the 19 children referred to the service in the past 12 months were able to be placed in appropriate care.
Wimmera family services agency Berry Street is putting the call out for foster carers after only five of the 19 children referred to the service in the past 12 months were able to be placed in appropriate care.
The remaining children seeking a place of safety had to be moved around for short-term care, denying them an environment in which to recover.
Worse, they were often relocated far away from their hometown, a spokesperson for Berry Street said.
Warracknabeal business owner Christine Lacey has been a foster carer for eight years now and said she wouldn't change a thing, describing the role as "absolutely wonderful".
"It's really rewarding when they start saying 'our car' and 'our house' - it's the sense of belonging," Ms Lacey said.
"It's very hard not to fall in love with them."
For the past two-and-a-half years Ms Lacey has cared for children with her partner Colin Stark, and the couple currently have three children in their full-time care.
Ms Lacey said her partner participated in foster carer training, and was very welcoming to the children.
She encourages anyone who was thinking about becoming a foster carer to "just do it".
"It's so rewarding getting to watch them grow and develop," she said.
"It's sad to see the lives they lived before, but kids are really resilient.
"They're the same as any child, really."
Ms Lacey said anyone who was not sure about committing to being a full time carer could become a respite carer - giving other carers a break and a chance for some me-time - to see if it was the right choice for them.
"There are so many gorgeous kids that need foster carers," Ms Lacey said.
Berry Street executive director of strategic engagement Heidi Reid said, in some cases, children needed to be transferred out of the region to find a placement, if appropriate care couldn't be found in their own town.
"This can cause further trauma when moving them away from their school, their friends and their community," Ms Reid said.
"Many of our older carers who have been with us for many years are retiring, and we need new carers to come on board so we can find homes for local children within the community, as well as provide respite care to our foster and kinship carers when they need it."
Berry Street is pleading with people in the Wimmera to consider fostering a child to assist in caring for the region’s most vulnerable.
Executive director of strategic engagement Heidi Reid said there was always a need for carers across Victoria, particularly in regional areas.
Specifically, there was currently a critical shortage of carers in the Horsham area and surrounding towns.
Recent research has revealed children as young as eight, who are now in Victoria’s care system, had allegedly been left alone for up to 10 hours a day without access to clean clothing and food.
“It’s a child’s right to be safe, and to grow up in the care of a family home,” Ms Reid said.
“Child protection is about what’s in the best interests of the child, and while the priority is always to keep children with their family, when this is not safe or practical, other options must be urgently explored.”
Ms Reid said there was an increasing number of children and youngsters who had been removed from home for their own safety, and needed foster carers to provide a safe, nurturing home in the short or long term.
“The statistics are quite shocking,” she said.
“Around Australia, one in 32 children needs Child Protection Services - that’s almost one child in every classroom.
“We have more children coming into care after being removed from home, and at the same time, we’re also seeing a reduction in the number of people applying to be foster carers.”
Besides changes in demographics with ageing carers retiring, Ms Reid said she believed the economic environment and cost of living were playing a part in reducing carer numbers.
Ms Reid said the need for carers varied month to month and Berry Street was looking for people who could provide a mix of emergency, long-term, short-term and respite care.
“Right now we’re urgently looking for six more carers in Horsham, and the surrounding towns, to join our wonderful carer community and help care for local children so they can stay in the region,” she said.
Ms Reid said there were common myths around becoming a carer.
“Many people think you need to have a partner, own a home or have had experience with children to be a carer,” she said.
“The reality is that anyone over 21 who has a spare room and can provide a safe, nurturing home can be a carer.
“We need carers who represent the diversity in the community and the children and young people who need support.
“We have carers who are single, partnered, work full-time/part-time or are studying, are from the LGBTIQA+ community, or are from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.”
Ms Reid said plenty of training was provided, and there was a team on hand to help carers with information and support.
And the reward for a foster carer’s passion and time?
“Changing the future,” Ms Reid said, “for a child, for your community, and for the next generation.
“There will be challenging times, as with all kids, but when you see the impact on a child or young person, and what they can achieve when they are given a chance - it’s incredible.”
For more information, visit www.berrystreet.org.au.