PeakCare Queensland’s Post

While Queensland’s official Foster Carer Week is in May each year, it has been wonderful to see my colleagues and other jurisdictional peak bodies and organisations celebrating their Foster and Kinship Carers Week, and the vital role they play in keeping children and young people safe.   On the back of PeakCare’s release of Queensland’s Foster Carer Demographic Insights Report in June 2024, as part of Queensland Child Protection Week last week I gave a keynote address at the 7th National Child Protection & Youth Justice Forum on the demographic trends impacting Queensland's foster care system.   I spoke about the concerning demographic and socio-economic trends effecting the available pool of traditional foster carers (and their capacity), despite the overall population growth in Queensland. But equally, I offered actionable opportunities for governments to address the systems pressing challenges.   We know Child Protection predominantly falls under state-based systems, but the Commonwealth also has responsibilities that can play a pivotal role in facilitating better support for foster carers. PeakCare Queensland is privileged to be part of a newly established National Foster Care Sustainability Group, led by Families Australia, who are working to directly inform and present to the Commonwealth Government a concise set of solutions for priority action. This week, I met with national colleagues in Melbourne to continue progressing this critical work.   The foster carer shortage and the over-reliance on residential care, deserves our collective, urgent attention. Together, we can ensure that children, young people, families, and carers receive the support they need, when they need it most. PeakCare is committed to this critical work to enhance the future of foster care and better outcomes for all children and young people in our care. Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers SA Inc Key Assets (Australia) Life Without Barriers Anglicare Victoria Third Sector Au NAPCAN OzChild Luke Twyford Amanda Camm Charis Mullen MP #child #family #foster #fostercare #kin #kinship #kinshipcare #residential #residentialcare #reform #qld #queensland #childsafety #childprotection #youthjustice #youth #peak #advocacy