Foster a child. Foster a future

“Do you have room in your home and heart for a young person in need?”

This is the question that Bryan Smith, executive director of Foster Care Queensland, wants Queenslanders to ask themselves as a result of a new campaign to recruit foster and kinship carers. 

The campaign, Foster a child. Foster a future, was developed to focus attention on the growing need for foster parents to look after children who face abuse or neglect, and help them realise their full potential in life.

Bryan said carers had one thing in common – a commitment to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

“It’s a shocking fact that there are now more than 7800 children and young people in Queensland who are unable to live with their families because one or both of their parents abuse or neglect them,” he says.

“We need more families willing to provide these children and young people with safe and loving homes. I would urge all adults who are capable of providing a sound family environment to seriously consider becoming a foster or kinship carer.”

Bryan said the current 4100 foster and kinship carers in Queensland came from all walks of life but more are desperately needed in every town and city across Queensland.

A community campaign to recruit more Indigenous foster and kinship carers is being run by the Indigenous Family and Child Support Service (IFACSS), with rugby league stars Sam Thaiday and Jharal Yow Yeh as its high-profile “faces”.

The campaign includes a website, Facebook page, TV commercials, a DVD and information packs for potential Indigenous carers.

For more information about becoming a foster carer, go to www.fosterafuture.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 550 877.