Vulnerable Toowoomba children and young people will be given safe homes after a Bligh Government injection of more than $2 million over three years to find more local foster carers.
Child Safety Minister Phil Reeves today announced Mercy Family Services would receive the funding enabling them to recruit, train and support more foster carers.
The organisation will now support carers who will provide safe homes for 150 vulnerable children and young people aged up to 17 with moderate to high support needs.
Mr Reeves said there were close to 510 children and young people living in the homes of close to 260 Toowoomba foster carers.
“Foster carers are the backbone of the child protection system and while every one of our current carers is a valuable asset, we still need more,” Mr Reeves said.
“All children have the right to basics such as food, shelter, safety, love, education, spiritual and cultural wellbeing, belonging and opportunities for their future.
“The hard work of our community partners and foster carers help us to make sure that more than 7,200 abused and neglected Queensland children unable to live at home receive these basics,” Mr Reeves said.
The funding is part of a Bligh Government commitment of more than $12 million across the state for organisations to recruit, train and support foster and kinship carers who open their hearts and homes to at-risk children.
Mr Reeves said sadly, because of the neglect or abuse they have suffered, children and young people in the government’s care can also have additional - and sometimes very complex - support needs.
“This is why the work of organisations such as Mercy Family Services is so important.”
Media contact: Stephen Gay (Minister’s office) 3224 7081
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