Foster Care Week – a call to open hearts & homes

August 27, 2025

Foster Care Week (8 – 14 September) is a time to celebrate the unwavering commitment of foster carers – individuals and families who provide safety, stability, and compassion to children in crisis. At CatholicCare, we take this opportunity not only to thank our carers but also to shine a light on the growing and urgent need for more foster families in our community. 

A growing crisis hidden in plain sight 

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, foster care in our region has been facing an escalating crisis. The pandemic disrupted many aspects of life, but its long-term impacts on child protection have flown under the radar. 

“During lockdowns it was difficult for people to be assessed, and the cost-of-living crisis has also deterred people,” says Sean Cashin, CatholicCare’s General Manager, Permanency Support Program. 

This sharp decline in foster carer recruitment has placed enormous pressure on an already stretched system. CatholicCare now receives between 50 and 100 requests for foster care placements every day – far more than we can accommodate. And the consequences for children are heartbreaking. 

Young children in hotels- the alarming reality 

“Five years ago, it was unheard of to have under 5s staying in hotel rooms,” says Sean. “We used to have no issues finding carers for under 5s, but the situation is now so dire that we have babies coming out of hospitals and going into hotels. It’s extraordinary.” 

When no carers are available, children – including infants – are being placed in hotels under the supervision of rotating workers. This is far from ideal. It’s not a home. It’s not stability. It’s not what any child deserves. 

The situation on the Northern Beaches 

The problem is particularly acute on the Northern Beaches, where the number of active foster carers is critically low. When children from this region enter care, there are often no local families to support them. In many instances, children who enter care on the Northern Beaches have to leave their local area and end up in completely different districts. This means changing schools, losing friendships and starting over – often more than once. 

“It’s ironic,” says Sean. “People on the Northern Beaches and on the North Shore believe child protection is a Western Sydney problem. But the reality is, the need exists in their own backyard.” 

Foster care is a community responsibility 

At CatholicCare, we’re calling on individuals and families across our Diocese to consider becoming foster carers. With your support, we can: 

• Keep children close to their communities 

• Prevent unnecessary trauma 

• Provide nurturing homes instead of emergency placements. 

We know fostering can seem overwhelming. That’s why we’re with you every step of the way. From your first enquiry to training and ongoing support, CatholicCare provides the tools, guidance, and community you need to make a life-changing impact. 

Whether you’re ready to become a foster carer or just want to learn more, your interest matters. Your involvement can change a child’s life – and your own. 

This Foster Care Week, will you answer the call? 

For more information visit www.fostering.org.au, call us today on 1800 324 924 or email  info@catholiccaredbb.org.au.