Demand for foster families soar as thousands open homes to children for first time

Queenslanders are being called on to consider fostering children as new state data reveals demand for carers is skyrocketing despite an increase in registrations.

Demand for foster and kinship carers has increased across Queensland as more than 1,500 families registered to assist for the first time, according to the latest state government data.

Children Minister Leanne Linard said during the Covid pandemic there had been an “increased need” for foster carers with many families under pressure.

Over the past year, 1,596 families stepped up to be carers for the first time.

There were 6,038 carer families as at December 31, up from 5,792 in 2020.

“Typically, the department has between 1,300 and 1,600 first time carer families at any point in time predominantly seeking to become kinship carers when a relative or close kin requires care,” Ms Linard said.

Queensland Children and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Podcaster and producer, Jonah Bobongie was placed into foster care as a newborn while his adoption was being finalised.

Mr Bobongie, 25, who recently joined Adopt Change as an ambassador, said foster carers have been “extremely forefront with the current demand”.

“Without a doubt, the pandemic would have had a major impact on the ability of how children are placed in care as well as the impact on workers finding suitable homes, so now more than ever, it’s so important for people to open up their homes and hearts,” he said.

Mr Bobongie said it is “paramount” for children to have access to a “stable environment”.

“I had a foster family who poured all their love into taking care of me and making sure I was cared for as their own,” he said.

“I believe normalising all kinds of families is important and over the last decade has been evident with changes such as single parents and same sex couples being able to care.

Jonah Bobongie was placed in foster care at birth. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“The processes and eligibility criteria for caring allows for more people to be able to care and I think more people should research the requirements, because you may be eligible to provide a home and change a story.”

Mr Bobongie said becoming an ambassador for Adopt Care has “added fuel to the fire to drive awareness and education surrounding the plight of at-risk children and speak the truth from a recent lived experience perspective”.

“Every child in vulnerable situations will have their own journey and experiences, however the one thing it comes back to is finding a strong, nurturing and stable family setting to allow a child to focus on childhood matters like building Lego or riding bikes with their friends, and not thinking about where they may end up next,” he said.

“We can prevent this childhood trauma which will also reduce the risk of mental health issues later in life.”

Ms Linard said the government had been running recruitment campaigns to encourage more Queenslanders to consider becoming foster carers.

“Our amazing carers open their homes to some of the state’s most vulnerable children and young people and our ability to help children in need would not be possible without them,” she said.