About Foster Care Week
Coordinated by the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA), Foster Care Week has been running in NSW since 1990. The Week celebrates and acknowledges the amazing work of NSW’s foster carers in the community.
Running from 11 – 17 September, the theme associated with Foster Care Week is ‘Be Part of an Amazing Journey, Foster a Child’s Future’. The theme recognises that foster carers are an integral part of a team working to achieve stability and permanency in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
The Facts
There are just under 20,000 children and young people unable to live at home in NSW – there is always a strong demand for carers and an especially huge need for Indigenous carers. In fact, NSW needs to attract 660 new carers in the next year across emergency, respite and short term care.
Foster carers come from all walks of life, from traditional families to single people, caring professionals and same-sex couples.
How to get involved
Please join SNPHN in celebrating the incredible work and commitment displayed by NSW’s foster carers. You can find more information about Foster Care Week here, and join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #FosterCareWeek. You can also call the Fostering NSW enquiry line on 1800 236 783.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer, have a look at the Fostering NSW Forum. This should give you an idea about the realities of fostering, including the process of becoming a foster carer, legal and financial issues, and medical and health issues.