Open your heart & home

Caring adults living in regional South Australia can provide children and young people unable to live with their birth parents an opportunity to shine in their own community in a safe and nurturing home.

This month, ac.care is encouraging country South Australians to consider joining its network of supported foster carers so the state’s most vulnerable babies, children and young people have the safety, care and support they need to thrive.

The call to action comes as Australians observe National Child Protection Week (September 1-7) with the theme of “every child, in every community, needs a fair go”.

ac.care also looks forward to highlighting the incredible network of foster carers staff are proud to support when the state celebrate SA Foster and Kinship Carer Week 2024 (September 8-14), acknowledging the difference carers make in the lives of children.

“While these events are timely in highlighting the importance of a diverse carer network to provide safe, loving homes for vulnerable children, the reality is we need more carers to continually meet children’s needs,” said ac.care Out Of Home Care clinical practical lead Shalini McCarthy.

She encouraged people considering foster carer to reach out to the country agency to learn more about how their care can help a child in need shine.

“Long-term foster carers are vital, but there are varying levels of time and commitment you can provide to support a child or young person,” Ms McCarthy said.

“You can commit to anything from respite for weekends, through to emergency, short or long-term care.”

Important foster carer qualities include a love of children, an ability to understand and respect each child as an individual, as well as the capacity to look after young people in a safe and stable environment.

Foster carers can be any gender or sexual orientation, single, married, de-facto, blended families or same sex couples and are usually between the ages of 25 and 70 years of age.

Carers may have children of their own and have various lifestyles involving a range of commitments such as working full-time, part-time, retired or studying.

“We support your foster care journey every step of the way with ongoing training and development and personalised support,” Ms McCarthy said.

“You will also become part of our incredible carer network and will connect with other passionate carers through events and opportunities.”

To find out more about foster care, call ac.care during business hours on 1300 ACCARE, visit www.accare.org.au or follow the agency’s Facebook page to be alerted to upcoming information sessions.