Foster and kinship carers at Toowoomba celebrated

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today met with foster and kinship carers from Toowoomba to thank them for providing safe and stable homes for children and young people in their care.

Speaking at a special forum for carers attached to the Toowoomba North and Toowoomba South Child Safety Service Centres (CSSCs), Mrs Keech paid tribute to long serving carers for their dedication and commitment to protecting the region’s vulnerable children and young people.

She also presented Certificates of Appreciation to foster and kinship carers with more than 10 years of service.

“Sadly, there are around 550 children and young people in the Toowoomba area who cannot live at home because at least one of their parents abuses or neglects them,” Mrs Keech said.

“I thank and commend carers for their dedication to protecting our region’s vulnerable children and young people and helping to keep them safe from harm and abuse.

“They are giving today’s children and young people – tomorrow’s adults – an opportunity for a brighter future.”

Mrs Keech urged people in Toowoomba to continue to help their most vulnerable children – and move the region Toward Q2 – Tomorrow’s Queensland.

"The efforts of foster carers and the commitment of all Child Safety staff goes a long way to building a fairer Queensland and achieving the goals of the Bligh Government’s new strategy Toward Q2 through creating more caring, connected communities,” she said.

“The Bligh government is urgently seeking more foster carers to provide homes, love and support for vulnerable children and young people who are unable to live at home because of abuse or neglect.

“As part of our Toward Q2 strategy the Bligh Government has made a commitment to increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queenslanders involved in their community as volunteers.

“As we grow Toward Q2 we desperately need more carers, more of these community heroes to step in and help transform a child’s life.”

During her visit to Toowoomba, Mrs Keech also presented nine Child Safety staff members with Service Recognition awards.

She said Child Safety staff deserve to be acknowledged with awards and to be treated like true community heroes that should be applauded and acknowledged alongside police officers, fire fighters, doctors and ambulance officers.

"These are people who have dedicated their lives to helping vulnerable children and young people," she said.

"They face complex and challenging situations every day and handle these situations with professionalism knowing they are making a difference to the lives of children and young people.”

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