Care for Carers: Supporting those who care the most

Anglicare Southern Queensland is shining a light on the importance of foster and kinship carers at this year’s Bridge to Brisbane.  

There are currently more than 11,400 young people living in out-of-home care in Queensland and more than 6,000 registered carers across a variety of care types including short- and long-term foster care, respite care, and kinship care1.  

Anglicare Southern Queensland Group Manager of Out of Home Care North, Tammy Lloyd said the work to care for children and young people is vital, as is the need to provide support for the carers who dedicate their lives to deliver a stable, caring home and family environment.  

“Being a foster carer is such a rewarding job! It does come with some challenges, as these children have come from a variety of backgrounds, and does require a lot of patience, understanding and willingness to go the extra mile for these children,” Ms Lloyd said.  

“We are constantly looking for ways to do more to support our amazing carers and equip them with the tools they need to confidently care for a child and provide a safe, nurturing and happy home – all while ensuring they feel appreciated and valued for all the hard work they do.”    

“It is so important we ensure carers have positive experiences from the beginning and that we continue to support and encourage them to continue the great work they are doing,” Ms Lloyd said. 

Whilst not everyone is in a position to become a foster carer, Anglicare is calling on the community to help support foster carers, children and their families by donating to our Bridge to Brisbane campaign.  

“All funds raised will help us to provide meaningful assistance to foster carers and children outside of Government funding,” Ms Lloyd said.

“This can include short holiday breaks for carers and children to experience a ‘family holiday’, camps for children and young people as well as conferences, counselling services, additional training or extra support to manage the cost-of-living pressures.” 

Neville Stone and his partner Justine have been Anglicare Southern Queensland foster carers for six years, fostering 18 children through respite care and currently provide long-term care for a family of four young people. 

“About five or six years ago we started doing respite care. Every second weekend we would have one or two kids come and stay with us on the weekends – giving their carers a much needed rest which, as a full-time carer, I now value this support so much,” Mr Stone said. 

“As a foster carer, you need to have a big heart – but we still need support. The current assistance is good, but we need more of it – so we can do better and give these kids more. 

“That’s why I’m ‘putting my money where my mouth is’ and running the 10km at this year’s Bridge to Brisbane! I would love to see as many people as possible to support this worthwhile cause and help to give foster carers and the children they care for, the extra support they need.” 

Anglicare Southern Queensland currently supports close to 1,000 foster and kinship carers and more than 2,000 children in care2.  

The organisation partners carers with practitioners and cultural support workers to assist them on their care journey as well as connecting them with the wider foster care community, and providing training programs, resources, and 24/7 support lines.  

Click here to donate to Anglicare Southern Queensland foster carers. 

To learn more about foster care or becoming a carer visit youbeyou.org.au. 

References:  

1: 30 September 2022 Child and Family Performance Statistics 

2: Anglicare Southern Queensland – Annual Report 

For more information, visit www.anglicaresq.org.au.