WE ARE LOOKING FOR FOSTER CARERS ON THE CENTRAL COAST, NORTHERN SYDNEY & THE NORTHERN BEACHES
CatholicCare is seeking families to provide essential support, care and stability for children and young people affected by family breakdown, to enable them to recover and thrive. Through our suite of services, and the dedication of our specialist support teams and foster carers, we are transforming the lives of children and young people to create positive futures. Our priority is to ensure these children and young people have a safe, stable home.
The Central Coast has a population of around 337,000 and with 74,500 people under the age of 18. In 2017, the NSW Department of Family and Community Services recorded almost 5,000 instances of children and young people being subject to significant risk of harm on the Central Coast, a figure almost 25% higher than the state average. Across the region there are almost 1,300 children and young people in Out of Home Care – foster care, group homes or supported care with kin or relatives. This is also far above the state average. Northern Sydney and the Northern Beaches also face their own challenges and we need local support.
A range of social factors contribute to the number of children and young people entering care – most commonly domestic violence and abuse and neglect. The impact is often lifelong. These children and young people are more likely to end up in the youth justice system and have far poorer education, employment and health outcomes. They will likely enter a cycle of social disadvantage that is difficult to escape, with potential impacts on their own children. We need to turn this around.
Children over the age of five struggle to find a foster home because many people consider them ‘too old and in the system too long’. Kids come into care at all stages and they all need loving homes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Foster Care
We are committed to providing the very best support for our foster carers and children in their care.
Anyone can change a life and make a difference. If you are interested in knowing more about fostering a child or young person, please contact us.
Fostering is a practical way we can support children and young people who need a temporary or full-time home while their family is supported to make the necessary changes for their safe return home.
CatholicCare has a comprehensive process for endeavouring to find the best match for children with a family, and you are an active participant in the process. Our foster carers receive:
- A financial allowance to assist with the day-to-day needs of the child/young person. This allowance helps to cover day-to-day expenses for the child such as food, clothing, education, travel and leisure activities.
- Comprehensive ongoing training, counselling and support including the opportunity to meet with other carers and our staff to share experiences, develop networks and form friendships.
- A dedicated case manager and 24/7 support. Each foster family is allocated a case manager to provide support to carers through regular home visits and phone calls. There is also an after-hours on-call service for crisis or emergency situations.
- Access to social functions and events.
Anyone can change a life and make a difference. We are committed to providing the very best support for our foster carers and children in their care. If you are interested in knowing more about fostering a child or young person, please contact us.
Latest Foster Care news
A word from our Executive Director
I had not run a foster care service prior to joining CatholicCare, but I had managed other types of programs for children in Out of Home Care. I knew from my experience that kids in foster care almost always thrived.
Read MoreThe long road to adoption
David is a young person in our foster care program. Three years ago, with the support of CatholicCare, David’s foster family made the decision to move toward adoption to ensure David would always be part of their family.
Read MoreI just want to be with my mum
Tragically, Brian's life story was one of abuse and neglect, both preceding his entry into the care system and during his days within it. Notwithstanding these experiences, Brian wanted desperately to live with his family once more.
Read MoreBlake’s youth work story
Every few months, CatholicCare hosts a Youth Worker information night to attract prospective employees for the Permanency Support Program. Attendees come and go, with some deciding to apply for a Youth Worker position and others going on their merry way in search of the right career.
Read More