The Queensland Government has unveiled a major package of reforms designed to support existing foster and kinship carers, attract new recruits, and improve outcomes for children with complex needs in care.
Announced as part of the response to the recent Commission of Inquiry, the initiatives aim to rebuild a child safety system that prioritises family-based care.
A cornerstone of the reform is the establishment of a new Foster Care Advisory Group, fulfilling recommendation 24 from the Inquiry to give carers and permanent guardians a stronger voice.
The reforms are backed by a statewide recruitment drive to encourage more Queenslanders to open their homes.
It follows damning findings from the Commission of Inquiry which revealed that 80 per cent of foster carers would not recommend the role to a friend.
Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm said the reforms reflected her commitment to restore respect to foster carers and prioritise family-based care.
“The Commission of Inquiry was a line in the sand, this is one of the ways we are implementing reform to make children safer and fix the broken child safety system we inherited,” Minister Camm said.
“Foster carers provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for some of Queensland’s most vulnerable children and young people, and we are committed to giving them greater recognition and a stronger voice.
“We encourage more Queenslanders to consider becoming foster carers – whether it be short-term, long-term or specialist care, it’s an opportunity to make a life-changing difference.
“These reforms are about backing foster carers and ensuring more children have the opportunity to enter family-based care.”
The government is hopeful the new measures will ensure more children experience safe, stable, and nurturing family environments.
