The annual Foster and Kinship Care Week launches this Sunday to celebrate and thank foster and kinship carers across the state. But with 15,223 children living in out-of-home care in NSW, more safe homes are needed.

Foster and Kinship Care Week 2023 runs from Sunday 10 – Saturday 16 September and honours the extraordinary work foster, relative and kinship carers, guardians and adoptive parents do across NSW to bring stability to the children and young people in their care. Carers and their families are coming together to mark the occasion at Foster and Kinship Care Week Picnics in various locations around the state.

Established in 1990, Foster and Kinship Care Week also raises awareness of the need for more carers. With over 15,000 children in NSW unable to live safely with their family, finding more safe and nurturing homes is a key.

NSW Minister for Families and Communities the Hon. Kate Washington MP says, “Every day, dedicated foster and kinship carers are making a difference to the lives of thousands of children and young people across the state. When vulnerable children need security and stability, foster and kinship carers step up to help them see brighter futures. There can be no greater investment in our future, than giving a child a loving and safe place to call home.”

My Forever Family NSW supports, trains and advocates for foster and kinship carers, guardians and adoptive parents from out-of-home care who bring stability to the lives of children and young people.

Renée Carter, CEO of Adopt Change operating the My Forever Family NSW program says, “We are honoured to be celebrating the incredible carer families in NSW who step up and provide safe, nurturing homes for children. Carers play a crucial role in providing security and warmth to a child when they are at their most vulnerable. During Foster and Kinship Care Week celebrations, we’d love to see more community members who are considering becoming a carer to reach out and take the next steps. There are different types of care to suit your availability. You could be the special carer to make a difference in a child’s life through providing the stability that comes from having a safe place to sleep, space to play and support to learn.”

Children in NSW require carers for all types of care, from part-time and emergency care through to long term care options. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and there are different types of care to suit individual and family circumstances. Every carer home has the unique opportunity to make a lasting, positive difference to a young person’s life.

Sam is a single parent and has recently become a part-time carer. She sees it as an opportunity for her daughter to connect with other kids and a way to support children in her community, and says, “As a part-time carer I’m able to show a child that there are other safe places for them, and there are people who care about them.”

Nes is a long-term carer for 8-year-old Toby*, and she relishes her role, encouraging others to consider opening up their homes and hearts to a young person. She says, “I’m very lucky to be a part of such an amazing thing we are doing. Fostering isn’t a job; it’s giving a life to those young children who haven’t had a chance to see how beautiful the world is.”

Registrations are open for the Sydney Foster and Kinship Carer Week Picnic in Penrith on Sunday 10 September. To find out more about the picnics and register visit https://www.myforeverfamily.org.au/events/

You can find more information about My Forever Family NSW at www.myforeverfamily.org.au/

*Name changed to protect privacy