National Foster Care Sustainability Group

The current foster care healthcare card offered by the Australian Government simply isn't meeting the needs of children and young people in care. That's why the National Foster Care Sustainability Group is advocating for a Healthcare Gold Card – likened to the current Veteran Gold Card - that prioritises children and young people, and stays with them for ongoing access to the health and wellbeing support they need, when they need it. Children in care deserve more than just the basics. They deserve a system that truly sees them, hears them, hears their carers, and prioritises their future. 👉 Sign up to the campaign, leave a comment, and join the movement too https://lnkd.in/gC8z9vZR Thank you for the great article from our group Chair, Dr Lisa J. Griffiths. Families Australia Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare OzChild Jamie Crosby Deb Tsorbaris

There are around 8,300 foster care homes across the country giving love, safety, and stability to children who need it most. Leading into the federal election, could we see 8,300 supporters — one for every foster home — join our campaign and stand alongside carers, children, and the wider care community? ✅ Add your name ✅ Drop in a comment ✅ Help us build a stronger, more supportive system for kids in care Sign up and join the movement! https://lnkd.in/gC8z9vZR Families Australia Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare PeakCare Queensland Jamie Crosby

What haven’t we heard in this election?   The Federal Election campaign has now been running for nearly two weeks and we have heard a range of policy commitments from all sides — but one important issue remains absent.   There has been no mention of supports or recognition for foster carers and the children in their care.   As a sector, we are still waiting to hear clear commitments to:
 ✔️ Increasing the tax-free threshold for foster care allowances to ease financial pressure
 ✔️ Prioritised access to medical and therapeutic services for children in care
 ✔️ Equitable leave entitlements for foster carers — recognising their parenting responsibilities   It’s time for a fair go for foster carers and the children they care for. Foster carers are providing essential care and stability for children and young people — often without the same rights or resources afforded to others in similar roles.   As federal candidates begin engaging with the community, we urge you to ask: 🗣️ What will your party do to support foster carers and children in care?   Join the campaign and help raise the voice of foster carers:
https://lnkd.in/gC8z9vZR   #FederalElection2025 #Election2025 #AustralianPolitics #AusPol #FosterCare   PeakCare Queensland Families Australia  Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare OzChild National Foster Care Sustainability Group Tom Allsop Dr Lisa J. Griffiths Jamie Crosby Deb Tsorbaris Anthony Albanese Peter Dutton Adam Bandt

I recently wrote to several federal members and election candidates – those working hard to represent members of the OzChild community of carers.  My message was straightforward. I, along with the National Foster Care Sustainability Group, urge the Government to implement three policy improvements to ensure that children in care and foster carers receive appropriate support. While child protection is largely a state and territory responsibility, the Commonwealth has a critical leadership role. It can influence outcomes for children, young people, and carers, and support improvements in out-of-home care systems across jurisdictions. Since 2017, we’ve seen a steady decline in new foster carer recruitment and a rise in carers leaving the system. As a result, there’s been a 72% increase in the use of non-family-based and residential care placements across all states and territories (AIHW Child Protection data). This trend comes at a high cost—not just financially for governments, but more importantly, in terms of poorer outcomes for children, young people, and their communities. These outcomes have ripple effects, increasing pressure on other services like health, mental health, education, disability, and the justice system. The foster care system requires federal reform, and our representatives must address this issue to provide equitable opportunities for children in foster care and their carers. Ahead of the federal election on 3 May, I urge you to ask your federal member – will they commit to giving children in foster care and their carers a fair go? Join the campaign > https://lnkd.in/ecrvngS2 #afairgoforkidsinfostercare #supportcarers #futureoffostercare Jodie Belyea MP Sam Rae MP Tim Watts Julian Hill Zoe McKenzie MP Michelle Rowland MP Bert Van Manen Alicia Payne Simmone Cottom Rhonda Garad PhD Will Roche Isabel Mudford Alyce Nelligan Carl Mutzelburg Dr. Anne Aly Amanda Rishworth Mary-Anne Thomas MP Tim Nicholls MP Anne Ruston Jamie Crosby Families Australia Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare Deb Tsorbaris

Children in care deserve priority access to healthcare. Their needs are often urgent and complex, and without timely and tailored medical, mental health, and developmental support, these children are at greater risk of falling through the cracks. Prioritising their health care is not only a matter of equity - it is a moral and social responsibility to ensure children and young people receive the timely, comprehensive support they need to heal, grow, and thrive. Leading into the federal election, Families Australia and the National Foster Care Sustainability Group call on all parties to make this very impactful policy improvement, so that every child in care and every foster carer can access the support they deserve. Thank you Deb Tsorbaris, Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare and Australian Health Journal for your wonderful advocacy. #afairgoforkidsinfostercare Jamie Crosby Dr Lisa J. Griffiths

A FAIR GO FOR KIDS IN FOSTER CARE   The Commonwealth has influence and responsibilities that play a pivotal leadership role in facilitating better outcomes for children, young people, their carers, and supporting jurisdictions to improve child protection systems.   Without implementing necessary changes to federal policy, the number of foster carers across the country will continue to decline, leaving vulnerable children without a family home-based environment to care for them.   #afairgoforkidsinfostercare   Families Australia National Foster Care Sustainability Group Jamie Crosby Deb Tsorbaris Dr Lisa J. Griffiths

The Commonwealth has a responsibility and can play a pivotal leadership role in facilitating better outcomes for children, young people, their carers, and supporting jurisdictions to improve child protection systems. We now know we are headed to the polls for a Federal Election on 3 May 2025. We thank Families Australia for their advocacy to give children in foster care, and their carers, a fair go. Let's make it happen! #afairgoforkidsinfostercare

Families Australia has welcomed several key measures in the 2025-26 Budget but has also highlighted missed opportunities, particularly as we head into a crucial federal election. Read our full statement here https://lnkd.in/gQwAeRw5 Jamie Crosby Deb Tsorbaris Dr Lisa J. Griffiths National Foster Care Sustainability Group

Leading into the Federal election we seek to raise and address the critical shortage of foster carers across all jurisdictions of Australia.   Children in foster care deserve a fair go, and so do the foster carers who support them. Our campaign calls on the Federal Government to improve access to healthcare, ease the financial burden on foster carers, and provide fairer workplace entitlements, so that every child in care can access the support they deserve.   Join us! futureoffostercare.org.au #afairgoforkidsinfostercare Families Australia Jamie Crosby Dr Lisa J. Griffiths Deb Tsorbaris Tom Allsop Bev Orr OAM Nadine Flood Dianne Jackson Carly Jacobitz Robyn Miller Sue Sealey Bridget Loudon-Harris Fiona Endacott Department of Social Services (DSS)

Families Australia are looking for a great new communications officer to help us advocate for children, young people and their carers this year. Please join us! Jamie Crosby Bianca Richards