Real carers really needed: Call for foster and kinship carers in Cooktown

The Bligh Government is urgently seeking more foster families to care for vulnerable children and young people who are unable to live at home because of abuse or neglect.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech is visiting Cooktown to officially open the Department of Child Safety’s Cooktown Branch Office at 112 Charlotte Street.

Mrs Keech said the call for carers was part of Queensland’s most extensive foster and kinship carer recruitment campaign.

“It’s a shocking fact that there are about 30 children and young people in Cooktown who are unable to live with their families because one or both of their parents abuse or neglect them,” she said.

“Cooktown’s foster and kinship carers do a magnificent job providing safe and loving homes to these vulnerable children and young people.

“However, we desperately need more people to put their hands up and become foster and kinship carers.

“Any amount of time a person can devote to being a foster carer will make a difference in a child’s life – whether it’s a few hours a week, a few days a month or providing full-time care.”

Mrs Keech said the Bligh Government’s foster carer recruitment campaign, which began in May and runs until August, was progressing well in the far north.

However, she stressed that it was still early days.

“To date we have received about 180 calls from people in Far North Queensland who are interested in becoming foster carers,” she said.

“My hope is that the community will continue to rally in support of the region’s vulnerable children and young people, with many more people calling us in the coming months.”

Mrs Keech said the Bligh Government had committed more than $15 million over five years to recruit, train and increase support for carers.

The $15 million is part of the government’s record budget commitment to child protection in Queensland.

“In 2008-09 the Bligh Government will invest a record $586.6 million in child protection,” she said.

“This is the fifth year in a row the Bligh Government has increased funding for child protection, underscoring our ongoing commitment to the vulnerable children and young people of this state.”

“The Bligh Government has invested more than $145,000 in establishing the Cooktown office, which houses Child Safety staff working with children, young people, families and foster and kinship carers in the region,” Mrs Keech said.

“Department of Child Safety staff perform a vital role protecting vulnerable children and young people, and we are committed to providing them with the support, training and resources they need to deliver a high quality service.”

For more information on becoming a foster or kinship carer, phone the Department of Child Safety on 1300 550 877 or visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au.

ENDS

Media Contact: Jo Crompton 3224 7081