Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk
Camera IconChild Protection Minister Simone McGurk Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Foster care information sessions in Midland, Rockingham, Perth

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

THE State Government will facilitate foster care information sessions in Midland, Rockingham and Perth over the next few weeks.

The sessions, hosted by Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support workers, will give interested fosters carers more information about applying and have their questions answered.

In some cases, sessions will include a talk from an experienced foster carer.

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As of June 30, there were 949 approved general foster carers in WA, 1424 approved family carers and 672 community organisation foster carers.

More than 80 per cent of the 5029 children in State care have been placed with foster or family carers.

Minister for Child Protection Simone McGurk said the State Government was “indebted” to foster carers who looked after some of the most vulnerable young people in WA.

Ms McGurk said there were three types of foster carers – respite, emergency and full time.

“Foster care is different to adoption because it means there could be an ongoing relationship and the child could continue to have a relationship with their biological parents if it’s safe,” she said.

Young Aboriginal people make up 55 per cent of children in State care.

“They are hugely over represented and our aim is for young Aboriginal kids in care to keep in touch with their culture,” she said.

  • Wednesday, November 14 from 10am-noon at Cale House, L1 52 The Crescent, Midland, call 9274 9411
  • Tuesday, November 20 from 10am-noon and 6-8pm at Unit 1, Level 1, 18 Civic Boulevard, Rockingham, call 9527 0100
  • Wednesday, December 5 from 6-8pm at 190 Stirling Street, Perth, call 9214 2444