Right now, in NSW there are 339 vulnerable children and young people living in emergency accommodation, children whose parents haven’t been able to provide the safety they deserve.
The NSW Government relies on foster carers to provide children with the stability, care and support they need to thrive and fulfill their potential.
Fostering is a chance to give these kids a brighter future, but we don’t have enough carers for these kids.
The former government outsourced foster carer recruitment, leading to a decline in carer numbers and a crisis that the Minns Labor Government is working hard to reverse.
Since coming into government, we have:
- Announced a total ban on Alternative Care Arrangements (ACAs), including hotels and motels, by March 2025
- Reduced the number of children placed in ACAs by 83% since November 2023, down to just 23 children
- Reduced the number of children placed in all types of High-Cost Emergency Arrangements (HCEAs) by 33 per cent since November 2023
- Opened the Waratah Care Cottages to better support children and sibling groups who are currently stuck in HCEAs
- Found safe homes for 849 children by commencing recruitment of more than 200 emergency foster carers after the former government stopped recruiting
- Released a systems review that provides a roadmap for reform
Despite significant progress, hundreds of children remain in emergency accommodation simply because there aren’t enough carers to meet the demand.
While work is underway to fix the system we inherited, the government needs the community’s help to get there.
Foster carers can come from all walks of life – you can be single, in a relationship, or have a family. It doesn’t matter if you rent or own your own home. Emergency care is a great way to get started, with placements ranging from one night to 12 weeks.
Foster carers receive training, support and an allowance to help them throughout their care journey.
In August, the Minns Labor Government also made paid parental leave available to NSW Government employees who are providing ongoing foster placements for children in OOHC.
Learn about becoming a foster carer.
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington said:
"This Christmas there will be more than 300 kids in emergency accommodation because there just aren’t enough foster carers.
“We have found safe and caring homes for 849 children by recruiting 200 emergency carers, but we desperately need more.
“If you want to change a child’s life please consider becoming a foster carer.
“I’m so grateful to all of the foster carers who are giving the best gift that they can give this Christmas - a safe and caring home to a vulnerable child. This gift could be yours to give by becoming a foster carer.”
