With nearly 50,000 children in Australia currently unable to live safely with their birth families, and almost 20,000 of those living in NSW, we are always looking for foster carers.
Through no fault of their own, there are many and varied reasons why children and young people come into foster care. They come from all walks of life, all ages, and come from different cultural backgrounds. However, most come from complicated family backgrounds or situations where they may have experienced neglect, abuse, or trauma.
The importance of foster carers in our community cannot be underestimated. Being a foster carer is no ordinary role; it comes with a range of responsibilities, and each day can bring new challenges, life-changing experiences and great rewards.
Foster carers give children and young people who cannot live with their birth families a safe, stable, and loving family environment to heal from their past, and grow and thrive into their future. This care might be for a night, a week, a few years, or until a child reaches adulthood. And while our aim is always to reunite children and young people with their families, ultimately, this is not always possible.
Throughout the foster care journey, CatholicCare is there every step of the way to guide our carers on how to support the young ones in their care through continued training and support. Our team assist our carers in navigating the important ongoing relationships with the child’s birth family based on their best interests.
Fostered children benefit from carers who nurture and respond to their individual needs, whatever those needs may be. There is an overwhelming shortage of foster carers to cater for thousands of children across the Hunter-Manning regions, and what these children NEED, is a safe place to call home. Due to this shortage, many children and young people in our communities are currently living in motels and crisis accommodation.
Kayden is a charming 12-year-old boy with a vivid imagination. He loves being active and shows interest in all sorts of activities, including basketball, soccer, rugby league, skateboarding, and bike riding. Spending time with friends is very important to him, and he enjoys his downtime using technology such as his iPad and PlayStation.
When Kayden was just ten years old, the Department of Communities and Justice could not find him a carer or family to live with, so he was placed in crisis motel accommodation. Kayden desperately wants to leave and be welcomed by a family who can nurture and guide him.
It is important to understand that Kayden’s time spent in care is not the result of anything he has done but rather his family’s circumstances.
Kayden, just like the rest of us, responds well to people who show a genuine interest in him, engage and nurture, and enjoy the fun times.
Please consider how YOU can help Kayden or another child in a similar situation.
Please contact us today on 1300 590 898.
Next steps
To learn more about becoming a foster carer, please get in touch with us on 1300 590 898, or register your interest below.
A member of our team will be in contact and send you an information pack.
We’d love you to attend one of our obligation-free information sessions to have all of your questions answered.
We’d love you to attend one of our obligation-free information sessions to have all of your questions answered.
Our 2023 information sessions are listed below:
Wednesday 22 February, 10am to 12pm, Cardiff
Wednesday 22 February, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Cardiff
Wednesday 22 March, 10am to 12pm, Maitland
Wednesday 22 March, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Maitland
Wednesday 26 April, 10am to 12pm, Mayfield
Wednesday 26 April, 5.30pm to 7pm, Mayfield
Wednesday 24 May, 4pm to 6pm, Taree
Thursday 22 June, 4pm to 6pm, Muswellbrook
Wednesday 19 July, 10am to 12pm, Cardiff
Wednesday 19 July, 5.30pm to 7pm, Cardiff
Wednesday 23 August, 10am to 12pm, Maitland
Wednesday 23 August, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Maitland
Wednesday 20 September, 10am to 12pm, Mayfield
Wednesday 20 September, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Mayfield
Wednesday 18 October, 4pm to 6pm, Taree
Thursday 28 November, 4pm to 6pm, Muswellbrook
Our face-to-face sessions have resumed. However, the team is still running one-on-one zoom information sessions for those unable or uncomfortable to attend in person. Register your interest below.
