Ms Broad said a key report from the Victorian Auditor General’s Office had been tabled in Parliament, revealing nearly 10,000 children need ‘out of home’ care across the state.
“I encourage people to become foster carers because there is such a great need for this very special service, and it can be very rewarding,” she said.
“Unfortunately, our amazing foster carers are battling increasing costs and other challenges.”
The VAGO report noted there were 9353 children in out-of-home care as of June 30 last year.
“The report found the Victorian Government is focusing on kinship care, which is important, but foster carers provide the flexibility in the system that is so important, and it is very concerning to see the number of foster carers in Victoria declining,” she said.
“Victoria lags behind other states with the foster care allowance. The recent state budget saw an increase to the foster care allowance, but that simply covers inflation.
“When we speak to foster carers, they flag a number of concerns with the costs continuing to rise.
“It can be very difficult to afford the extra care that is needed, and some children have complex needs.”
Ms Broad said some children were being placed in residential care, but this was not ideal.
“We need to get more foster carers in the system and I want to acknowledge the incredible work that these families do,” she said.
“I know some people that are involved in foster care and others more recently that I spoke to, who simply went to an information session, and they were really moved and wanted to do the training needed to do to be able to assist.
“More needs to be done to support foster carers ... there is a real need to retain them in our system to provide an environment of care for these children.”
To read the report, visit: tinyurl.com/bp6ccbjv
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