QLD To Start Trialling Professional Foster Carers

The Queensland government has followed suit after Victoria started trialling professional foster carers to keep children with high-support needs in a stable home environment.

The two-year program, which costs $3 million, will ensure carers are able to care for large sibling groups and also support children who have a disability, have suffered trauma or need specialised behavioural support.

“We are extremely lucky to have so many families out there willing to step in and provide a loving home for children who cannot live safely at home,” Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said. “But we know there are some children coming into care who need an extra level of support and these professional foster carers will help fill that gap.”

The professional foster carers will reportedly be paid up to $65,000 a year.

In October, the Victorian government has announced that it would spend $5.6 million for 14 professional foster carers to work with at least 28 children to keep them out of residential care.

Source: Au.news.yahoo.com