CareSouth is committed to creating positive futures for children and young people in Out-of-Home Care and one of the ways in which we do this is by providing safe, stable homes with loving foster carers.

From time to time, a more urgent need arises for agencies to find foster families for specific children and young people. Especially where it is important for a child or young person to remain in a particular community near to schools, friends and family.

CareSouth is currently looking for foster families for a primary school age boy in Eurobodalla-Bega area, a teenage boy in Canberra, a primary school-aged girl in Goulburn and teenage girl in Goulburn said Tracy Mayo, Regional Manager Southern NSW and ACT.

Tracy oversees CareSouth’s Out-of-Home Care and Permanency Support Programs and said it is vital that children who are placed in care remain in their own community. But without more local carers the children would have to be moved away, losing the close contact with their friends, families and support networks.
“We want to keep children and young people connected to their communities and families,” said Tracy. “This is an important part of providing sustainable, safe homes for children. Our caseworkers work closely with carers, families and significant people in children’s lives to provide support to children.”

People from all walks of life can be foster carers, from traditional families to single people, empty nesters, caring professionals and same sex couples. There is a huge need for Aboriginal carers and carers from different cultures and religious backgrounds.

CareSouth’s foster care program is currently evolving with the NSW Government implementing reforms aimed at giving children in out-of-home care more stability than they’ve had in the past. The new Permanency Support Program, introduced by the Department of Family and Community Services late last year, recognises that the best option for children is for them to stay with or return to birth families. Where that is not safe there is a need to look at permanent options, such as guardianship or kinship placements with extended family or open adoption for non-Aboriginal children.

CareSouth needs carer families for children and young people who are able to support restoration of children to their birth families, offer immediate or respite care, or move towards guardianship or open adoption. We provide ongoing training, a carer allowance and 24/7 support through our call centre and after-hours service.

Call us today on 1300 554 260 to find out how you can help change a child’s life.