A new information kit released today marks the launch of the first key stage of an initiative to recruit and retain foster carers throughout Queensland.

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Child Safety, Mike Reynolds
chil...@cabinet.qld.gov.au
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10/09/04

Minister for Child Safety Mike Reynolds said the Foster Carer Information Kit was the first in an important suite of materials being developed to provide potential foster carers with a more comprehensive overview of fostering at their first point of inquiry.

"This kit will give all people interested in taking on the valuable role of foster carer the information they need to make an informed decision about fostering," Mr Reynolds said.

"It will also help to prepare them for the rewarding and challenging journey ahead should they be approved as carers," he said.

Mr Reynolds said the information kit would be available to people who contacted the department or non-government agencies and expressed interest in becoming a foster carer.

The kit contains a series of brochures and fact sheets about the different types of fostering and the steps to becoming a carer.

South east Queensland foster carers and representatives from Foster Care Queensland, Create Foundation, Peakcare and Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Forum (QAIHF), the peak body for the state's 17 Aboriginal and Islander community controlled health services, attended the launch.

Speaking at the launch, Director-General for Child Safety Robin Sullivan said the next part of stage one would see the department working closely with alternative care peak bodies and agencies to ensure the kit meets the needs of non-government foster care agencies.

"The information kit will assist departmental and non-government staff by improving the consistency and quality of materials supplied to potential carers throughout Queensland," Dr Sullivan said.

"As part of stage one, we will also produce and distribute recruitment toolkits to enable staff in Child Safety zones to work together with their non-government partners to effectively plan and conduct local foster carer recruitment activities that meet the needs of their communities.

"We are currently working with non-government agencies and Child Safety alternative care workers to create this Community Recruitment Activity Toolkit.

"The toolkit will provide practical advice based on tried and tested recruitment activities, step-by-step guidance to planning recruitment strategies and a series of promotional materials," she said.

Ms Sullivan said the toolkit would be trialed in a zonal office before being progressively released to all departmental offices.

"A key priority will also be to address the need for more culturally appropriate carers across the state, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.

"In conjunction with the mainstream drive to build awareness about foster care, we will specifically focus on increasing awareness about the need for Indigenous carers," she said

Mr Reynolds commended the Department's commitment to support regional communities and build partnerships with non-government agencies.

"I am pleased to see initiatives that have a greater focus on establishing local partnerships are being put into place.

"I encourage foster care agencies to support this move and work with us to identify ways to better recruit and retain carers.

"Our drive to raise the profile of foster carers is only strengthened by the support of our non-government agencies. Together, we can validate the role of foster carers in our community," he said.

The foster carer recruitment campaign follows the department's Blueprint for reform recommendations to increase the number and diversity of foster carers.

"We are committed to implementing the Blueprint recommendations to develop community awareness and local recruitment strategies," Mr Reynolds said.

"Once these information resources and recruitment tools are released we will embark on the second stage of the campaign, which involves broader state-wide awareness building exercises to promote the valued role of carers and welcome new carers.

"We are also developing improved training and assessments procedures to ensure quality carers are recruited and retained," he said.

For media information, phone Karla Steen on
0407 582 041 or John Ross on 3224 7081.