New Foster Care Reforms Expand Into Mackay

Queensland’s foster care reforms will expand the Professional Foster Care pilot into Mackay while strengthening support for carers and encouraging more families to open their homes to children in need. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara  

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The State Government will expand its Professional Foster Care pilot program to Mackay as part of broader reforms aimed at supporting carers and increasing family-based care options for children with complex needs.

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According to the Queensland Government, the Mackay expansion will fast-track access to the pilot, which is designed to provide more stable, family-based care for children with complex needs who may otherwise be living in residential care.

The reform is also set to include the establishment of a Foster Care Advisory Group, giving foster carers and permanent guardians a greater role in shaping Queensland’s child safety system.

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In a visit to Mackay on Thursday 20^th August, Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm said the changes were intended to support foster and kinship carers while encouraging more Queenslanders to consider the role.

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“Foster carers provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for some of Queensland's most vulnerable children and young people, and we are committed to giving them greater recognition and a stronger voice,” Ms Camm said.

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“We encourage more Queenslanders to consider becoming foster carers – whether it be short-term, long-term or specialist care, it’s an opportunity to make a life-changing difference.”

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Ms Camm said Queensland needs an additional 1,000 foster and kinship carers, with the reforms forming part of its response to recommendations from the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry.

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The Professional Foster Care pilot will focus on supporting children with complex needs, with skilled carers receiving practical support to provide family-based care.

Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the measures were also aimed at attracting and retaining more carers.

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“These new measures are about backing our carers with practical support and making sure we can attract and retain more Queenslanders willing to provide a safe and loving home for a child,” Mr Dalton said.

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Queensland Foster and Kinship Care Chief Executive Officer Bryan Smith said the measures were an important step towards better supporting carers.

“Carers want to know their contribution is valued and that they have the support they need to provide the best possible care,” Mr Smith said.

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For Marabisda Mackay foster carer Brooke, the announcement also highlighted the ongoing need for more people willing to open their homes to children in need.

“I’m a third-generation foster carer. Caring for children has been part of my family story for generations,” Brooke said.

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Brooke and her husband Brody have provided care for children across the region for the past four years.

“In four years, Brody and I have made 109 beds for children needing somewhere safe to stay,” she said.

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“You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t need to know all the answers. You just need to be willing to open your home, your life and your heart.”

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“Every child deserves somewhere safe to sleep, someone to cheer them on, someone who believes in them and somewhere they can feel like they belong.”

“The reality is, we need more carers – general foster carers, kinship carers, First Nations carers and anyone willing to give this role a try.”

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The new initiatives will build on existing measures, including enhanced training, flexible funding and new pathways into fostering.

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For more information, visit qld.gov.au/professionalfostercare

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