Media Release
Thursday 18th August 2022

My Forever Family NSW supports, trains and advocates for foster and kinship carers, guardians and adoptive parents who bring stability to the lives of children and young people in care. There remains a critical shortage of CALD carers in Western Sydney and 15, 895 children living in out-of-home care in the state of NSW.

To find and inform potential new carers in Western Sydney, My Forever Family NSW will hold a free Becoming a Carer Information Session for locals at Parra Villa Function Lounge in Parramatta on Thursday, 25th August from 5:30pm. The session will raise awareness about the critical need for more people to become involved in caring for children and young people currently living in the state care system.

The Department of Communities and Justice NSW data for 2020 shows that 4 children and young people per 1000 are living in out of home care in the Western Sydney region. These are children and young people who can’t live safely with their family and need a safe and nurturing place to call home. The data also shows that 44.5% of the population in the Western Sydney region are people with a CALD background.

The session will focus on the need for emergency carers for children and teenagers in Western Sydney to ensure that children in care can thrive and continue to form strong bonds with their families and community.

Emergency care provides a secure home for children and young people for short periods of time, anywhere between 48 hours to a few weeks, providing a stable environment for a child while a longer-term placement is found. Emergency carers play a vital role in providing security and warmth to a child when they are at their most vulnerable. Carers who are of a similar cultural background can provide that extra layer of support that comes through cultural safety, and become a part of a child’s extended family and network of support, over time providing guidance and mentorship and helping build a sense of security and community for the child or young person.

The information session will inform potential carers of the different options of care available and will be an opportunity to ask questions of local agencies, be introduced to the services of My Forever Family NSW, hear from a representative from the Department of Communities and Justice NSW, plus hear the first-hand experiences of current carers.

Authorised local carer Nes grew up knowing the love and kindness of her Turkish Muslim parents who informally welcomed children into their care. Today she carries their legacy by providing safety and a nurturing home to children as a foster carer who provides Emergency Care.

“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,” she says.

While having some supplies for ready for a child coming in as an emergency placement is helpful, the most important thing a carer can provide is a sense of safety by connecting with the child. A carer with the same or similar cultural background to the child can make a big difference as Nes explains,

“There are a lot of children out there who may speak your language that you may not be aware of, and they may need you one day. Be proud of what you are doing and show everybody that you have made a change in those children’s lives because they deserve it.”

This multicultural exchange is something Nes holds dear to her heart and urges other culturally and linguistically diverse people like her to look into becoming registered carers.

While there will be a focus on information about emergency care for children and young people in the local community, there are many different types of care options available to suit individual and family circumstances, all of which will be covered.

My Forever Family NSW Spokesperson, Michelle Stacpoole talked about the significance of the program for the local community and the urgent need for carers, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“We are looking for singles, couples, and families who can offer care to a child at short notice. Being a carer for kids is not a one size fits all and we encourage people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds to get in touch as they may be the unique carer a child needs to feel safe, especially through a shared connection to culture. There are many ways you can help children thrive and emergency care is a great place to start. These sessions are an opportunity to ask questions about becoming an emergency carer in an open and relaxed setting, and to chat directly with those who have lived experience as carers. It’s a chance for people to considering becoming carers now to understand the next steps and those who are considering this option for the future to come along and find out more.”

For more information on this special online information session please go to
https://www.eventsforchange.org.au/infosession
You can find more information about My Forever Family NSW at www.myforeverfamily.org.au/

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For all media enquiries or to request an interview, please contact:
My Forever Family NSW Marketing & Communications team
P: (02) 9189 2020
E: media@myforeverfamily.org.au