By AIDAN KNIGHT
GIPPSLAND foster carers are sounding the alarm over recent changes to Victoria’s foster care reimbursements, warning that reduced support will drive carers out of the system and leave vulnerable children without stable homes.
This relates to reforms that went into place last July, which the state government says aims to strengthen therapeutic and specialist support across the sector. However, carers and advocacy groups argue the reforms have failed to address chronic underfunding and the rising cost of living, leaving many at breaking point.
A local foster carer with Berry Street, who will not to be named to protect the privacy of children in their care, said the government’s changes will have “devastating consequences” for families already struggling under rising costs of living.
“Caring for children who have experienced trauma is a fulltime commitment,” the carer said.
“Many of us cannot work outside the home due to the complex needs of the children we support. We do this out of love and dedication – but we are being pushed to the brink.”
Victoria already offers one of the lowest foster-care allowances in the country with a base rate of about $457.64 per fortnight for a Level 1 child aged 0-7, compared to significantly higher rates in other states. Carers report that they are increasingly covering additional costs themselves, including medication, transport to specialist appointments and therapeutic supports, because they say the allowance is not keeping pace with the cost-of-living and agency budgets feel increasingly constrained
“We are facing a critical shortage of carers,” the local went on to say.
“These changes will only worsen that crisis. Carers will be forced to end placements – not because they want to, but because they simply cannot afford to continue. What happens to those children then?”
During her visit to Traralgon for announcements on public transport and national parks last Tuesday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan weighed in on the state’s position on foster care.
When prompted for comment on the drop in number of foster carers across Victoria, Ms Allan emphasised: “Foster and kinship carers do such big and important work in caring for some of our most vulnerable little children who cannot be placed in the care of their family environment.”
The Premier rejected suggestions that the government’s handling of carers is driving people away from the sector, going on to say “they (carers) do important work and will continue to support foster and kinship carers. I’m advised that there has been no change to the policy settings here, and there most certainly has not been any reduction to the budget.”
The government states that it remains committed to supporting foster and kinship carers and maintains that it is sufficient that funding levels have not been cut.
As Victoria implements its next phase of foster care reforms, the challenge remains – ensuring that the system provides both stability and security for children in care and the families who support them.
