Kirra-Lee Towells, CASPA

The “Out of Home Care” system is going through historic changes. The new approach aims to help biological parents improve their parenting skills so kids can return to mum or dad as quickly as possible.

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The changes are based on research that indicates there is a greater chance for children to experience healthy development when they are able to connect and form attachments with birth parents, siblings and relatives.

The recruitment process of foster carers is now focusing on individuals and/or couples who are able and willing to work with biological families to keep them together. Traditional fostering is still available for the cases where parents need longer therapeutic intervention or in cases where there is a threat to physical or psychological health of children.

Training to become a foster carer will take place in Bellingen at the Youth Hub on December 8–9, from 9am to 3pm.

According to foster care assessor for the Mid North Coast Kirra-Lee Towells, foster care provides opportunities for either full-timers or people with more flexible working hours.

“It is up to the carer how much time they can give to fostering. You can start as a respite carer one weekend a month. We also have short-term, long-term, kinship, and pathways to adoption," she said.

There are around 20,000 kids and young people in the “out-of-home-care” system in NSW in need of stable and safe places where they can feel nurtured and valued. When there is a desire, guardianship or adoption may also be a possibility. Data from 2014 reveals there were 89 adoptions from out-of-home care in NSW.

Australian citizens or permanent residents over 18 year-old with a good record can become foster carers.

People who can foster: