A North West NSW family at breaking point over frustrations with the foster care system, may have finally had their desperate pleas answered.
The grandmother and her husband from the Gunnedah shire’s southern district recently took into care four children.
The family has felt virtually abandoned since with little support from authorities to assist with care of the children.
“We’ve had to use every penny we have to clothe and feed these children,” the grandmother told the Gunnedah Times.
“We have nothing left to give.”
The foster carer was provided with just a $50 voucher per child for clothing expenses which she said did not stretch far.
She was also told food vouchers would be coming but when she checked the accounts, the vouchers “still weren’t there”.
Making matters worse was unreliable transportation for the now family of six.
“We can’t fix the car because we have no money left,” she said.
This was particularly problematic given the family’s rural location which is hours drive from town conveniences.
The grandmother is a trained nurse but on limited income due to injury, while her husband receives some support through a disability support pension.
The family has tried contacting the government body responsible, the Department of Communities and Justice, but said the support was not forthcoming.
“They brought these kids to us, and this is the way we’ve been treated,” she said.
In a statement to the Gunnedah Times, the NSW Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said authorities “got it wrong” on this occasion and would be providing the financial support requested.
“As a government, we are committed to providing more support to foster carers – who all do an incredible job looking after vulnerable children,” Minister Washington said.
“In this case, we got it wrong. We should have done more to support this carer.
“As soon as I became aware, I ensured the carer received an apology and the financial support she deserves.
“The out-of-home care system is entirely reliant on carers, and that’s why we are so committed to doing better and valuing carers more.
“In this week’s budget, the Labor Government announced the largest investment in out-of-home care in the state’s history, with a landmark $1.2 billion Child Protection Package.”
The funding package includes an additional $143.9 million to boost the foster care allowance by 20 per cent.
The NSW government said reform of the out-of-home care system was also taking place to ensure increased support and protection for vulnerable children and young people.
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