CHILDREN’S services agencies are calling on Pakenham residents to become foster carers.
Wesley Mission and OzChild have both made the plea during Victorian Foster Carer Week this week.
Wesley manager Sally Walker said that without the commitment of local volunteer foster carers, many children and young people could slip through the cracks.
“It’s heartbreaking for us, as a local welfare organisation, not to be able to place these children and young people with caring individuals in their local community. Their challenging behaviours and circumstances are no fault of their own, rather the result of trauma experienced in their own family lives,” she said.
“Fostering a vulnerable child or young person in a safe and caring home can change their life for the better – whether it’s for a month, a year or even longer.”
OzChild CEO, Tony Pitman said cases of child abuse was the on rise and it couldn’t be ignored.
“We like to pretend that abuse of children’s rights is simply a third world issue, but it’s not and the statistics are sobering,” he said.
“Kids just aren’t exiting the system as quickly as we are taking them in. The number of children needing care is rising, but we just don’t have enough carers. We need a diverse pool of carers to meet the individual needs of children entering foster care.
“Sadly I don’t think we could ever have too many (carers) to meet the demand,” he said.
All volunteer foster carers receive accredited training and 24-hour ongoing support. A tax free financial reimbursement is also provided to carers to help meet the costs of caring for a young person.
For more information on becoming a foster carer for Wesley Mission call 9794 3000 or visit www.wesley.org.au
For more information on becoming a foster carer for OzChild call 8796 00003000 or visit www.fosterparenting.org.au
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